LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Shelf ...333 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 




[ 

\ 



I I 



SUNDAY SCHOOL 



SELECTIONS 



COMPRISING 



A WIDE RANGE OF READINGS AND RECITATIONS ADAPTED TO 

CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENTS 

AND TO ALL GATHERINGS OF A MORAL 

OR RELIGIOUS CHARACTER 



EDITED BY 

/ 

JOHN H. BECHTEL 

INSTRUCTOR IN 

The National School of Elocution and Oratory 



Philadelphia 30^0$ A 

The Penn Publishing Company 
1892 



^*1 



■%: 



Copyright, 1892, by The Penn Publishing Company 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

After the Darkness— Light 139 

Alone with God 109 

Always Learning 113 

Amen F. G. Browning 169 

Angels Gerald Maasey 14 

Angel of Patience, The 31 

At Mother's Knee 147 

Beautiful Grandmamma 41 

Beautiful Things 47 

Be Strong Cora 31. Eager 13 

Be True Horatio Bonar 79 

Beyond 82 

Beggar and the King, The J. C. Goodwin 104 

Best that I Can, The > 1JA- 

Bible and the Liquor Traffic, The . . John P. St John 18 

Bible Reading on "Rock of Ages, " A . Rev. Chas. A. Jones 1G4 

Border Land, The 21 

Blessings of To-day, The 11 

Blessings in Disguise 58 

By-and-By 173 

Child's First Grief, The Mrs. Hemans 14 

Child's Evening Prayer • 15 

Christmas Carol . Mfdie W. Carpenter 126 

Cleansing Fires Adelaide Proctor 95 

Cling to Those Who Cling to You ISO 

Closing Address 2C0 

Consolations in Bereavement . . . . Dr. J. H. Newman 38 

Corn and the Lilies, The S4 

Cold Water . '. Eenry H. Holloway 124 

Coming of His Feet, The Independent 151 

iii 



IV CONTENTS. 

PACE 

Comfort One Another M. A. gangster 1G3 

Creeds 2~> 

Cruse that Faileth Not, The 07 

Daughters of the King 166 

Death and Life S3 

Dickey's Christmas 118 

Don't Look Sad 131 

Duty CM. Sheldon 176 

Enough Frances B. Havergal 80 

Eternal .Goodness 79 

Example Keble 182 

Father, Take my Hand 91 

Forty-A ere Farm, The 35 

Footsteps of Angels Longfellow 77 

German Trust Song Lampertus, 1625 65 

Give Thanks, All ye People 69 

Give us a Call 159 

God Careth 16 

Gold of Hope, The Henry Burton 74 

God Bless You 121 

God's Rest 128 

God Knows 133 

God'sHand 158 

God Knoweth Best Christian Union 153 

Harvest Hymn Geo. D. Prentice 27 

HalfwasNotToldMe, The T. Be Witt Talmage 194 

How to Live Horatio Bonar 131 

Hour of Comfort, The F. B. Havergal 144 

Holiness 171 

If We Knew 85 

It is More Blessed 110 

Lesson Worth Enshrining, A 23 

Lead Me, O Lord Adelaide Proctor 61 

Let It Pass Ill 

Lesson of the Leaves, The 142 

Leave It With Him 155 

Left Undone Mar gar get E. Songster 160 

Lead Thou Me J. H. Newman 1G1 

little Maid's "Amen," A Gospel Expositor 40 

Little by Little 154 

Lord Careth, The Sunday Magazine 45 

Looking Out For Me 57 

Master's Touch, The Bonar . . 17 

Maximus Adelaide Procter 62 

Midnight Hymn, A 129 



CONTENTS. V 

PAGE 

Ministering 138 

Morning Glories 180 

My Mother Josephine Pollard 100 

My Neighbor's Baby 134 

New Year, The C. Innes Cameron 73 

New Year's Gifts, The Dinah Muloch 115 

New Year's Resolve Ella Wlieeler Wilcox 176 

Nothing But Leaves 84 

Nothing to Do 123 

Not Knowing Mary G. Brainard 157 

Not Mine Julia C. R. Dorr ....... 168 

Not Lost Sarah Doudney 182 

Old Year, The Little Corporal 184 

Only Charlotte Murray 30 

Only a Song 152 

Our Country's Needs John B. Finch 70 

Our Lost Margaret E. Gangster 72 

Our National Curse . . . T. Be Witt Tcdinage ....*.. 145 

Overcometh Margaret E. Songster 149 

Pathways in Palestine 7 

Pillar of the Cloud, The John H. Newman 46 

Reaper and the Flowers, The .... Longfellow 97 

Read This, Boys 175 

Remember, Boys Make Men Mary E. Tucker 188 

Risen With Christ 191 

Rosary of My Years, The Father Ryan 10 

Rum-Seller's Invitation, The 36 

Sea Ventures 89 

Shadows Richmond Christian Advocate . 127 

Simon's Burden Rose Terry 83 

Sometime — Somewhere Robert Browning 90 

Sowing and Reaping Adelaide Proctor 162 

Song of Praise, A Psalm XC VI 189 

So Much May Be Done Hebrew Journal 68 

Spirit's Call, The 117 

Take Up the Collection 192 

Tangled Skein, A .......... . Josephine Pollard . 140 

Three Parsons, The— A Sailor Deacon's Story 48 

There is no Death . .... .. .... Sir E. Bulwer Lytton 87 

Thoughts of Home 92 

Through Peace to Light 1C3 

There's No Such Word as Fail .... Alice B. Neal 193 

To the Departed 43 

True Faith, The Win. H. Burleigh G4 

Triumph of Truth, The Jam'es De Mille 93 



VI CONTENTS. . 

PACE 

Trifles May Riley Smith 171 

True Heroism 179 

True Heart, A Youth's Companion .306 

Two Pictures From Life 177 

Two Bauners of America, The . . . . Rev. Herrick Johnson 185 

Twenty-one .... Julia C. R. Dorr 32 

Unknown William H. Gardner 16 

Unto Thee Bonar 102 

Unseen Battle-field, The 197 

Uses of Life, The 98 

Vacant Places Friends' Intelligencer 76 

Waiting for Easter Edna Dean Proctor 28 

Way to Be Brave, The 60 

Waiting on God Saxe Holm 133 

Watch 136 

Weather-Song 197 

Why I Sing . 9 

What I Live For ' 96 

What is My Work To-day? 86 

Which Ride Are You On? Our Youth 1-13 

Who is My Neighbor? 63 

Winter Gloaming Faith Lincoln 81 

Woman Healed, The Mrs. Jessie F. Ilouser 186 

Words of Welcome 199 



Sunday School Selections 



PATHWAYS IN PALESTINE. 



THE pathways of Thy land are little changed 
Since Thou wert there ; 
The busy world through other ways has ranged, 
And left these bare. 

The rocky path still climbs the glowing steep 

Of Olivet ; 
Though rains of two millenniums wear it deep, 

Men tread it yet. 

Still to the gardens o'er the brook it leads, 

Quiet and low ; 
Before his sheep the shepherd on it treads ; 

His voice they know. 

The wild fig throws broad shadows o'er it still, 

As once o'er Thee ; 
Peasants go home at evening up that hill 

To Bethany. 

And as when gazing Thou didst weep o'er them, 
From height to height 

The white roofs of discrowned Jerusalem 
Burst on our sight. 



8 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

These ways were strewed with garments once, and palm, 

Which we tread thus ; 
Here through Thy triumph on Thou passedst, calm, 

On to Thy cross. 

The waves have washed fresh sands upon the shore 

Of Galilee ; 
But chiselled in the hill-sides evermore 

Thy paths we see. 

Man has not changed them in that slumbering land, 

Nor time effaced ; 
Where Thy feet trod to bless, we still may stand ; 

All can be traced. 

Yet we have traces of Thy footprints, far 

Truer than these ; 
Where'er the poor, and tired, and suffering are, 

Thy steps Faith sees. 

Nor with fond, sad regrets, Thy steps we trace ; 

Thou art not dead ! 
Our path is onward and we see Thy face, 

And hear Thy tread. 

And now, wherever meets Thy lowliest band 

In praise and prayer, 
There is Thy presence, there Thy " Holy Land " — 

Thou, Thou art there ! 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 9 



WHY I SING. 

I SING because I love to sing, 
Because instinctive fancies move; 
Because it hurts no earthly thing, 
Because it pleases some I love. 

Because it cheats night's weary hours. 

Because it cheers the brightest day ; 
Because, like prayer and light and flowers, 

It helps me on my heavenly way. 

Because with peals of happy words 
I would exorcise morbid care ; 

Because a touch of deeper chords 

May tune a heart to lcve and prayer. 

Because all sounds of human fate 
Within my heart an echo find ; 

Because whate'er is good or great 
Lets loose the music of my mind. 

Because above the changing skies 
The Spirit saith good angels sing ; 

Because wherever sunshine lies 

The woods and waves with music ring. 

Because amid earth's Babel noise 
All happy things that go or come 

Give to their grateful hearts a voice ; 
Then why should I alone be dumb ! 



10 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 



THE ROSARY OF MY YEARS. 



SOME reckon their age by years, 
Some measure their life by art- — 
But some tell their days by the flow of their tears, 
And their life by the moans of their heart. 

The dials of earth may show 
The length, not the depth, of years. 
Few or many they come — few or many they go — 
But our time is best measured by fears. 

Ah! not by the silver gray 
That creeps through the sunny hair, 
And not by the scenes that we pass on our way — 
And not by the furrows the finger of care 

On the forehead and face have made ; 

Not so do we count our years. 
Not by the sun of the earth, but the shade 
Of our souls, and the fall of our tea**s. 

For the young are ofttimes old, 
Though their brow be bright and fair ; 
While their blood beats warm their heart lies cold- 
O'er them the springtime — but winter is there. 

And the old are ofttimes young, 
When their hair is thin and white ; 
Aud they sing in age as in youth they sung, 
And they laugh, for their cross was light. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 11 

But bead by bead I tell 

The rosary of my years ; 
From a cross to a cross they lead — 'tis well ! 
And they're blessed with a blessing of tears. 

Better a day of strife 

Then a century of sleep ; 
Give me instead of a long stream of life, 
The tempest and tears of the deep. 

A thousand joys may foam 

On the billows of all the years ; 
But never the foam brings the brave bark home; 
It reaches the haven through tears. 

Father Kyan. 



THE BLESSINGS OF TO-DAY. 

IF we knew the woe and heartache 
Waiting for us down the road, 
If our lips could taste the w 7 ormwood, 

If our backs could feel the load, 
Would we waste the day in wishing 

For a time that ne'er can be ; 
Would we wait in such impatience 
For our ships to come from sea ? 

If we knew the baby, fingers 

Pressed against the window-pane 

Would be cold and stiff to-morrow— • 
Never trouble us again — 



12 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Would the bright eyes of our darling 
Catch the frown upon our brow ? 

Would the print of rosy fingers 
Vex us then as they do now? 

Ah, these little ice-cold fingers, 

How they point our memories back 
To the hasty w r ords and actions 

Strewn along our backward track ! 
How those little hands remind us, 

As in snowy grace they lie, 
Not to scatter thorns, but roses, 

For our reaping by and by. 

Strange we never prize the music, 

Till the sweet- voiced bird has flown ; 
Strange that we should slight the violets 

Till the lovely flowers are gone ; 
Strange that summer skies and sunshine 

Never seem one-half so fair 
As when winter's snowy pinions 

Shake their white down in the air ! 

Lips from which the seal of silence 

None but God can roll away, 
Never blossomed in such beauty 

As adorns the mouth to-day ; 
And sweet words that freight our memory 

With their beautiful perfume, 
Come to us in sweeter accents, 

Through the portals of the tomb. 

Let us gather up the sunbeams, 
Lying all around our path ; 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 13 

Let us keep the wheat and roses, 

Casting out the thorns and chaff; 
Let us find our sweetest comfort 

In the blessing of to-day, 
With a patient hand removing 

All the briers from our way. 



BE STRONG. 



AS the rock in the ocean, the pine on the plain, 
As the mountain whose summit is deluged in vain, 
As the Good over Evil, the Right over Wrong, 
O ! thou frail human hearted, look up and be strong ! 

Where the hand of the tyrant oppresseth the low, 
Where treachery turneth the friend into foe, 
Where law is a fable, and truth but a song, 
Come up to the contest, O man ! and be strong 

Where Slander has ventured his venomous tongue, 

And the heart of its victim in agony wrung, 

Where Self, under masque, courts corruption and 

wrong, 
Come thou to the rescue, be brave and be strong ! 

What matter if clouds dim the silvery light ? 
Day smiles at the death of the gloomiest night. 
The blue lies beyond, though the clouds hover long, 
Light comes w 7 ith the breaking; then hope and be 
strong. 



14 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Be strong for humanity, strong for thyself, 
And strong, lest thy heart-strings be woven of pelf, 
Lest thy soul, soul-forgetting, turn earthward too long, 
As Faith looks to Heaven, O ! look thou and be strong ! 

Cora M. Eager. 



ANGELS. 



IN this dim world of clouding cares 
We rarely know, till 'wildered eyes 
See white wings less'ning up the skies, 
The angels with us unawares. 

Gerald Massey, 



THE CHILD'S FIRST GRIEF. 



" f\ CALL my brother back to me, 
vy I cannot play alone ! 
The summer comes with flower and bee — 
Where is my brother goue ? 

" The butterfly is glancing bright 
Across the sunbeam's track, 
I care not now to chase its flight, 
O call my brother back ! 

" The flowers run wild — the flowers we sowed 
Around our garden tree ! 
Our vine is drooping with its load — 
O call him back to me ! " 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 15 

" He would not hear my voice, fair child ! 
He would not come to thee ; 
The face that once like springtime smiled, 
On earth no more thou'lt see. 

" The rose's brief, bright life of joy, 
Such unto him was given ; 
Go, thou must play alone, my boy ! 
Thy brother is in heaven." 

" And has he left his bird and flowers ? 
And must I call in vain ? 
And through the long, long summer hours, 
Will he not come again ? 

" And by the brook, and in the glade, 
Are all our wanderings o'er? 
Oh ! while my brother with me played, 
Would I had loved him more !" 

Mrs. Hemans. 



CHILD'S EVENING PRAYER. 

JESUS, tender Shepherd, hear me ! 
Bless thy little lamb to-night ! 
Through the darkness be Thou near me, 
Watch my sleep till morning light ! 

All this day Thy hand has led me, 

And I thank Thee for Thy care ; 

Thou hast clothed me, warmed and fed me— 

Listen to my evening prayer. 



16 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Let my sins be all forgiven ! 
Bless the friends I love so well ! 
Take me, when I die, to heaven, 
Happy, there with Thee to dwell ! 



GOD CARETH. 



SOMETHING round which it may twine 
God gives every little vine. 

Some little nook or sunny bower 
God gives every little flower. 

Some green bough or mossy sward 
God gives every little bird. 

Night and day, at home, abroad, 
Little ones are safe with God. 



UNKNOWN. 



A GRASSY mound, a simple stone, 
And but the single word, " Unknown, 
Unknown perhaps to some sad heart, 
Who's waiting still so far apart, 
And longing for the day to come 
When they shall meet again at home. 
Unknown to all who pass it by, 
Unknown to loving ones who sigh 
And think of some dear friend who died, 
Perhaps just by the sleeper's side. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 17 

" Unknown " to earth, but up on high 
No hero doth " unknown " e'er lie, 
No life is ever spent in vain. 
Each sacrifice its crown will gain. 
Upon the angel's golden book, 
If we some day be blest to look, 
Well find each noble deed writ down. 
Each resting place to them is known, 
And when the silver trumpet calls, 
They'll take their place on Heaven's walls. 

William H. Gardner. 



THE MASTER'S TOUCH. 

IN the still air music lies unheard ; 
In the rough marble beauty hides unseen : 
To wake the music and the beauty, needs 

The master's touch, the sculptor's chisel keen. 

Great Master, touch us with Thy skillful hand ; 

Let not the music which is in us die ; 
Great Sculptor, hew and polish us ; nor let 

Hidden and lost Thy form within us lie. 

Spare not the stroke ; do with us as Thou wilt ; 

Let there be naught unfinished, broken, marred ; 
Complete Thy purpose, that we may become 

Thy perfect image, O our God and Lord. 

Bonar. 
2 



18 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

THE BIBLE AND THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC. 



IN dealing with the liquor traffic there are three 
classes that we must consider : the drinker, the seller, 
and the government ; and first, let us dwell briefly upon 
the drinker, because the drinker is referred to here. 
" Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that 
they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, 
till wine inflame them !" 

You will see, in the first place, that this was a time 
when they had no distilled liquors, or what is commonly 
called to-day " alcoholic liquors." You will see also that 
wine came first ; that the world commenced on its road 
to drunkenness on the lighter drinks, and you will see 
away back in these Bible times that the Lord pronounced 
a woe, not only upon the men who drink, but woe upon 
all who tarry at the wine. 

If I had the power to blot out one class or the other 
— I mean the lighter drinks or the strong drink — and 
was not possessed of the power of blotting both out, I 
would blot out the wine and beer, and let forty-rod 
whisky remain, for it is the wine and the beer which 
constitute the A B C's in the lesson that leads to drunk- 
enness. The wine and the beer bear the same relation 
to dissipation and to drunkenness that the Sabbath- 
school bears to the Church — one is the recruiting service 
for the other ; and God, thousands of years ago, pro- 
nounced biis woe upon the wine and the beer drinker. 
Let me tell you, it is not the strong drinks upon which 
our young men commence a life of dissipation. They 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 19 

first drink the beer and the wine, and that creates a 
condition physically which demands strong drink. 

But the Lord did not stop there. They seem to have 
had some sellers in those days, too, for you will find, 
" Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and 
men of strength to mingle strong drink." 

I do not know w T ho could be meant there except 
these fellows that are taking out license here to-day — 
these feilows who sell. Let me say to you that I make 
it a rule never to abuse a man for engaging in a lawful 
business; besides, I believe that the saloon-keepers are 
morally and socially just as good and just as pure as 
are — the saloons they keep; and the saloons they keep 
are morally and socially just as good and quite as pure 
as is the law that authorizes them to keep the saloon ; 
and the law which authorizes them to keep the saloons, 
in the sight of God is just as good and just as pure as the 
church-member who votes for that kind of a law. 

But the Book says something more. It not only 
speaks of the seller, but it speaks of all the people, for 
it says : u Woe unto them which justify the wicked for 
reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous 
from him !" How plain that is ! Anybody can under- 
stand it. " Woe unto them which justify the wicked 
for reward." Woe unto the nation in which we live, 
that takes a reward from the saloon-keepers of this 
country ! Woe unto the man w T ho will justify this busi- 
ness by voting in favor of it, or by staying at home and 
playing the part of a. coward ! What is to be done to 
the people who justify the wicked for reward ? What 
is to become of the money? 

" They should cast their silver in the streets " — this 



20 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

blood money, remember-—" and their gold shall be re- 
moved. Their silver and their gold shall not be able 
to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the 
Lord !" 

" Make a chain, for the land is full of bloody crimes, 
and the city is lull of violence." 

" Make a chain, for the city is full of violence !" Make 
a chain to hold down fast and tight that which is de- 
structive and deadly to civilization! Every man to-day 
is making a chain ; and L tell you that the chain you 
are forging is not any stronger than its weakest link ! 
It makes no difference how perfect you may be in this 
or that thing — you may belong to a Church, and you 
may pray one way, but when you come to vote on this 
measure that looks to the overthrow of the nation's 
greatest evil, the strength of your chain will be meas- 
ured by frhe character of your ballot. 

Men of America, I ask you, " Is God dead T' Has 
manhood left the nation forever? Are we an army of 
cowards? Or will we say, from this hour, God helping 
us, we will buckle on the whole armor of Almighty 
God, and in His name an 1 with His power we will take 
a stand alongside of the mothers and the children of our 
land and with our ballots, which execute the will of the 
people, we will bury this home and soul-destroying busi- 
ness beyond the hope of a resurrection ? 

When we have done that, we shall have done our duty, 
and God will take care of the rest. 

John P. St, John. 






SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 21 



THE BORDER LAND. 

These lines were sent by a lady to a friend who asked to know where 
she had been for several months, that she had not written to her ? In 
the interval her friend had been brought to the gates of the grave by a 
long and severe illness. 



I HAVE been to a land, a Border Land, 
Where there was but a strange dim light, 
Where dreams and shadows, a spectral band, 

Seemed real to the aching sight. 
I scarce bethought me how there I came, 

Or if thence I should pass again, 
Its morn and night were marked by its flight, 
Or coming of woe and pain. 

But I saw from this land, this Border Land, 

With its mountain ridges hoar, 
That they looked across to a wondrous strand, 

A bright and unearthly shore. 
Then I turned me to Him, the Crucified 

In patience, faith, and prayer, 
Who had ransomed with blood my sinful soul 

For I thought He would call me there. 

Yet nay ; for awhile in that Border Land, 

He bade me in patience stay, 
And gather rich fruits with a trembling hand 

While He chased its gloom away. 
He has led me amid those shadows dim, 

And shown that bright world so near 
To teach me that childlike trust in Him 

Is " the one thing needful " here. 



22 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

And so from the laud, the Border Land, 

I have turned me to earth once more ; 
But earth and its works were such trifles scanned 

By the light of that radiant shore, 
That oh ! should they ever possess me again 

Too deeply in heart and hand, 
I must think how empty they seemed and vain 

From the heights of the Border Land ! 

The Border Land had depths and vales, 

Where sorrow for sin was known ; 
Where small seemed great, as weighed in scales 

By the hand of God alone. 
'Twas a land where earthly pride was not, 

Where the poor were brought to mind 
With their scanty bed, their friendless cot, 

And their bread so hard to find. 

But little I heard in the Border Land 

Of all that passed below ; 
The once loud voices of human life 

To the deafened ear were low. 
I was deaf to the clang of its trumpet call, 

Nor heeded its gibe or its sneer ; 
Its riches were dust and the loss of all 

Would then have scarce cost me a tear, 

I met with a Friend in this Border Land 
Whose teachings come with power 

To the blinded eye and deafened ear, 
In affliction's loneliest hour. 

" Times of refreshing' * to the soul 
In languor oft He brings— 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 23 

Prepare it then to meditate 
On high and glorious things. 

Oh ! Holy Ghost, too often grieved 

In health and earthly haste, 
I bless those slow and silent hours 

Which seemed to ruu to waste ; 
I would not but have passed those depths, 

And such communion known 
As can be held in the Border Land 

With Thee, and Thee alone. 

I have been to a land, a Border Land, — 

May oblivion never roll 
O'er the mighty lessons which then and there 

Have been graven on my soul ! 
I have trodden a path I did not know, 

Safe in my Saviour's hand ; 
I can trust Him for all the future now, 

I have been to the Border Land ! 



A LESSON WORTH ENSHRINING. 



A LESSON in itself sublime, 
A lesson worth enshrining 
Is this : "I take no note of time 
Save when the sun is shining." 
These motto words a dial bore, 
And wisdom never preaches 
To human hearts a better lore 
Than this short sentence teaches 



24 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

As life is sometimes bright and fair, 
And sometimes dark and lonely, 

Let us forget its toil and care, 
And note its bright hours only. 

There is no grove on earth's broad chart, 

But has some bird to cheer it : 
So hope sings on in every heart, 
Although we may not hear it. 
And if to day the heavy wind 

Of sorrow is oppressing, 
Perchance to-morrow's sun will bring 
The weary heart a blessing. 

For life is sometimes bright and fair, 

And sometimes dark and lonely ; 
Then let's forget its toil and care, 
And note its bright hours only. 

We bid the joyous moments haste, 

And then forget their glitter ; 
We take the cup of life and taste 

No portion but the bitter ; 
But we should teach our hearts to deem 

Its sweetest drops and strongest ; 
And pleasant hours should ever seem 
To linger round us longest ; 

As life is sometimes bright and fair, 

And sometimes dark and lonely, 
Let us forget its toil and care, 
And note its bright hours only. 

The darkest shadows of the night 
Are just before the morning ; 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 25 

Then let us wait the coming light 
All bodel ess phantoms scorning ; 
And while we're passing on the tide 

Of time's fast- ebbing river. 
Let's pluck the blossoms by its side, 
And bless the gracious Giver — 

As life is sometimes bright and fair, 

And sometimes dark and lonely, 
We should forget its pain and care, 
And note its bright hours only. 



CREEDS. 



THERE is a creed whose pure and gentle teaching 
Will save the heart from error and from sin, 
With gentle, loving words, it striveth ever 
The erring one from Vice's path to win. 
Simple and plain are all its blessed lessons, 

The child may learn them at its mother's side 
When its first prayer in innocence ariseth 
From the low couch, at quiet eventide. 

We need not seek the lofty, proud cathedral, 

Or storied columns of some minster old, 
Where the soft light through painted windows gleaming, 

Deck shriue and altar with its burnished gold. 
The peasant boy may learn it on the hill side, 

Though all untaught in wealth of classic lore, 
And labor's sons may con its holy lessons, 

Resting from toil beside the cottage-door. 



26 SUNDAY SCETOOL SELECTIONS. 

No learned divine with skillful art hath framed it, 

And bound its pages in a mystic tome ; 
Nor is it taught alone by church and synod, 

Where men for worship rear the hallowed stone. 
Where was it taught? What are its blessed pre- 
cepts ? 

What voice of power first gave them to the world ? 
Were they proclaimed within the princely palace, 

With gorgeous rites, and triumph flags unfurled? 

Long years ago, 'neath Olivet's green shadows, 

Where fair Judea's plains in beauty lie, 
Where Kedron's silvery brook winds through the 
valley, 

And Sharon's palms wave 'neath a sunny sky — 
A voice was heard whose kind and gentle accents 

Spake of a love to man before unknown, 
A love which sought the humble and the lowly, 

And saved the outcast and the friendless one. 

And deeds of power attested His high mission, 

He spake as man had never spoke before, 
And gently led the erring back to duty, 

Condemned them not, but said : " Go, sin no more." 
The creed He taught was, " Man is still thy brother, 

Low and degraded though his lot may be ; 
God cares for all ; if thou would'st be a Christian, 

In, every man a brother thou must see. 

" As thou dost love thyself, so love thy neighbor, 

In all his sorrows ever bear a part ; 
Seek not to worship God by outward homage, 

But bring to Him a pure and willing heart. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 27 

Vain are thy prayers, and vain the costly offering 

If thy heart's altar is profaned by sin, 
If passion unsubdued, if hate or malice 

Blend with thy gifts, no favor can they win." 



HARVEST HYMN. 



AT Carmers mount the prophet laid 
His offering on the altar-stone, 
And fire descended from the skies, 
And round the holy altar shone ; 
And thus, when spring went smiling past, 
Our offerings on the earth were cast, 
And God's own blessing has come down, 
Our sacrifice of faith to crown. 

No conqueror o'er our fields has gone, 

To blast with war our summer bowers, 
And stain with blood of woe and guilt 

The soil that giveth life to flowers ; 
But morning dews and evening rains 
Have fallen on our beauteous plains, 
And earth, through all her realms abroad, 
Gives back the image of her God. 

Bright with autumn's richest tints, 
Each hill lifts up its head on high, 

And spreads its fruits and blossoms out, 
An offering meet beneath the sky ; 

And hill, and plain, and vale, and grove, 

Join in the sacrifice of love, 



28 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

And wind, and stream, and lake, and sea, 
Lift high their hymns of ecstasy. 

It is the festival of earth — 

The flame of love o'er nature burns, 
And to the holy heavens goes up 

Like incense from a thousand urns ; 
And oh ! let man's impassioned voice, 
With nature's self, iu song rejoice, 
Until the blended notes of love 
Ring from the temple-arch above. 

George D. Prentice. 



WAITING FOR EASTER. 



TTARK! the clarion March wind! its wild, defiant 
II greeting 

Rouses moor and forest, rouses hill and sea — 
Stormy as the bugles that call when hosts are meeting, 

Rich as notes from Alp to Alp when horns make 
jubilee ! 
Down the darkening sunset a single star is shining 

Lost as clouds drift landward off the ocean dim ; 
Dreary rise the mountains, against the gray reclining, 

Wan as ghosts that silent steal where swells a funeral 
hymn. 

Hark ! the stately chorus ! away, my soul's dejection ! 

Songs of summer warble through the glorious strain ; 
Every ringing cadence is a blast of resurrection, 

Bold as blown by Israfil across some burial plain ! 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 29 

Sturdier stand the maples as past them rolls its psean ; 

Thrill with joy the elm boughs, swaying light and 
free ; 
Back to deli and garden come dreams of scents Sabean, 

Back to brook and river tide the splendors of the sea. 

u Welcome !" sigh the leaf-buds, though chill its rough 
caressing ; 
Hid iu snow the crocus lifts a heart of gold; 
Mayflower and anemone know well its wrath is blessing, 

Flushing pink for answer sweet in woodland moss 
and mold. 

Hark! the clarion March wind, its wild, defiant greeting 

Rouses moor and forest, rouses hill and sea — 
Stormy as the bugles that call when hosts are meeting, 
Rich as notes from Alp to Alp when horns make 
jubilee! 

Wind of life, sweep onward ; bring a world diviner ; 

Laughing meadows, mountains soft in purple air, 
Rosier dawns and twilights, suns and moons benigner, 

All that heaven and earth can give to fashion April 
fair. 

Kay, bring nobler courage ; faith that never falters ; 

Bear our griefs with winter o'er the seas away ; 
So in hope and gladness, beside our hearths and altars, 

We will wait the coming of the blessed Easter Day ! 

Edna Dean Proctor. 



30 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 



ONLY. 







NLY a word for the Master, 
Lovingly, quietly said. 

Only a word, 

Yet the Master heard, 
And some fainting hearts were fed, 



Only a look of remonstrance, 
Sorrowful, gentle, and deep. 

Only a look ! 

Yet the strung man shook, 
And he went alone to weep. 

Only some act of devotion, 
Willingly, joyfully done. 

" Surely 'twas naught !" 
So the proud world thought, 
But yet souls for Christ were won. 

Only an hour with the children, 
Pleasantly, cheerfully given. 

Yet seed was sown 

In that hour alone 
Which would bring forth fruit for heaven ! 

:< Only " — hut Je^us is looking, 
Constantly, tenderly down 
To earth, and sees 
Those who strive to please ; 
And their love He 1 >ves to crown. 

Charlotte Murray, 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 31 

THE ANGEL OF PATIENCE. 



BESIDE the toilsome way, 
Lonely and dark, by fruits and 
flowers unblest, 
Which my worn feet tread sadly, day by day 
Longing in vain for rest, 

An angel softly walks, 
With pale, sweet face, and eyes cast meekly down, 
The while from withered leaves and flowerless stalks 

She weaves my fitting crown. 

A sweet and patient grace, 
A look of firm endurance, true and tried, 
Of suffering meekly borne, rests on her face, 

So pure — so glorified. 

And when my fainting heart 
Desponds and murmurs at its adverse fate, 
Then quietly the angel's bright lips part, 

Murmuring softly " Wait !" 

" Patience !" she sweetly saith — 
" Thy father's mercies never come too late, 
Gird thee with patience, strength, and trusting faith 
And firm endurance — wait !" 

Angel ! behold, I wait, 
Wearing the thorny crown through all life's hours, — 
Wait till thy hand shall ope the eternal gate, 

And change the thorns to flowers ! 



32 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS 



TWENTY-ONE. 



GROWN to man's stature! O my little child ! 
My bird that sought the skies so long ago ! 
My fair, sweet blossom, pure and undefiled, 

How have the years flown since we laid thee low ! 

What have they been to thee ? If thou were here 
Standing beside thy brothers, tall and fair, 

With bearded lip and dark eyes shining clear, 
And glints of summer sunshine in thy hair, 

I should look up into thy face and say, 

Wavering, perhaps, between a tear and smile, 

" O my sweet son, thou art a man to-day ;" 

And thou would stoop to kiss my lips the while. 

But — up in Heaven — how is it with thee, dear ? 

Art thou a man — to man's full stature grown ? 
Dost thou count time as we do, year by year ? 

And what of all earth's changes hast thou known? 

Thou hast not learned to love me. Didst thou take 
Any small germ of love to Heaven with thee 

That thou hast watched and nurtured for my sake, 
Waiting till I its perfect flower may see? 

What is it to have lived in Heaven always ? 

To have no memory of pain or sin? 
Ne'er to have known in all the calm, bright days, 

The jar and fret of earth's discordant din? 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 3 

Thy brothers — they are mortal — they must tread 
Ofttimes in rough, hard ways, with bleeding feet; 

Must fight with dragons, must bewail their dead, 
And fierce Apollyon face to face must nieet. 

I, who would give my very life for theirs, 
I cannot save them from earth's pain or loss ; 

I cannot shield them from its griefs or cares ; 
Each human heart must bear alone its cross! 

Was God, then, kinder unto thee than them, 
O thou whose little life was but a spaa? 

Ah, think it not! In all His diadem 

No star shines brighter than the kingly man. 

Who nobly earns whatever crown he wears, 
Who grandly conquers or as grandly dies 

And the white banner of his manhood bears, 
Through all the years uplifted to the skies! 

What lofty pseans shall the victor greet ! 

What crown resplendent for his brow be fit! 
O child, if earthly life be bitter sweet, 

Hast thou not something missed in missing it ? 

Julia C. E. Dorr c 



o 



DEATH AND LIFE. 



THE brown leaves rustle under our tread ; 
The Aster of latest bloom lies dead ; 

While the Golden-rod, with feathery spray, 
Teaches that autumn has passed away ; 
3 



34 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

That winter sits throned in royal mien, 
Ruling dun meadows that late were green. 

One by one to the grave are borne — 
The youthful and gay, the aged and worn. 

Day by day the grain and the leaves 
Are gathered into the heavenly sheaves. 

Silent and cold sink the shadows gray, 
Over brain and heart as they pass away. 

The rivers shall break their icy chain, 
The meadows rejoice in greenness again ; 

And the waxing year in its course will bring, 
Blossom and leaf, to mark the spring ; 

While the wood robin's song through the leafy maze, 
Sounds liquid and clear, a carol of praise. 

He, at whose bidding the seasons bloom, 
Will break the seal He has set to the tomb ; 

The winter of death will give place to life's spring, 
When the ransomed ones enter the courts of their king, 

And walk by the river, that flows where the light 
Is dimmed by no winter ; where death cannot blight. 






SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 35 



THE FORTY-ACRE FARM. 



I'M thinking wife, of neighbor Jones, that man of stal- 
wart arm — 
He lives in peace and plenty, on a forty-acre farm ; 
While men are all around us, with hands and hearts 

asore, 
Who own two hundred acres, and still are wanting 
more. 

His is a pretty little farm, a pretty little house ; 

He has a loving wife within, as quiet as a mouse ; 

His children play around the door, their father's life to 

charm, 
Looking as neat and tidy as the tidy little farm. 

No weeds are in the corn fields ; no thistles in the oats ; 
The horses show good keeping by their fine and glossy 

coats ; 
The cows within the meadow, resting 'neath the beechen 

shade, 
Learn all their gentle manners of the gentle milking 

maid. 

Within the fields, on Saturday, he leaves no cradled 

grain, 
To be gathered on the morrow for fear of coming rain, 
He keeps the Sabbath holy, his children learn his ways, 
And plenty fills his barn and bin after the harvest 

days. 



36 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

He never has a law-suit to take him to the town, 

For the very simple reason there are no line fences 

down, 
The bar-room in the village does not have for him a 

charm, 
I can always find my neighbor on his forty-acre farm. 

His acres are so very few he plows them very deep ; 
'Tis his own hands that turn the sod, 'tis his own hands 

that reap ; 
He has a place for everything, and things are in their 

place ; 
The sunshine smiles upon his fields, contentment on his 

face. 

May we not learn a lesson, wife, from prudent neighbor 

Jones, 
And not — for what we haven't got — give vent to sighs 

and moans? 
The rich aren't always happy, or free from life's alarm ; 
But blest are they who live content, though small may 

be their farms. 



THE RUM-SELLER'S INVITATION. 



FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS: Having just 
opened a commodious shop for the sale of liquid 
Fire. I embrace this opportunity of informing you that 
I have commenced the business of making Drunkards, 
Pauper3, and Beggars for the sober, industrious, and 
respectable portion of the community to support. I shall 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 37 

deal in Family Spirits, which will incite men to deeds 
of riot, robbery, and blood, and by so doing diminish the 
comfort, augment the expenses, and endanger the 
welfare of the community. 

I will undertake, at short notice, for a small sum, and 
with great expectations, to prepare victims for the 
Asylum, Poor Farm, Prisons, and Gallows. 

I will furnish an article which will increase fatal 
accidents, multiply the number of distressing diseases, 
and render those which are harmless incurable. 

I will deal in drugs which will deprive some of Life, 
many of Reason, most of Property, and all of Peace, 
which will cause fathers to become fiends, and wives 
widows, children orphans, and all mendicants. 

I will cause many of the rising generation to grow up 
in ignorance, and prove a burden and a nuisance to 
the nation. 

I will cause mothers to forget their offspring, and 
cruelty take the place of love. 

I will sometimes even corrupt the Ministers of 
religion ; obstruct the progress of the Gospel; defile the 
purity of the Church, cause temporal, spiritual, and 
eternal death ; and if any should be so impertinent as to 
ask why I have the audacity to bring such accumulated 
misery upon the people, my honest reply is, " Money !" 
The spirit trade i3 lucrative, and some professing 
Christians give it their cheerful countenance. 

I have a license, and if I do not bring these evils 
upon you somebody else will. 

I have purchased the right to demolish the character, 
destroy the health, shorten the lives, and ruin the souls 
of those who choose to honor me with their custom. I 



38 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

pledge myself to do all I have herein promised. Those 
who wish any of the evils above specified brought 
upon themselves or their dearest friends are requested to 
meet me at my Bar, where I will for a few cents 
furnish them with the certain means of so doing. 



CONSOLATIONS IN BEREAVEMENT. 



DEATH was full urgent with thee, sister dear, 
And startling in his speed ; 
Brief pain, then languor till thy end came near — 
Such was the path decreed, 
The hurried road 
To lead thy soul from earth to thine own God's abode. 

Death wrought with thee, sweet maid, impatiently — 

Yet merciful the haste 
That baffles sickness — dearest, thou didst die, 

Thou wast not made to taste 
Death's bitterness, 
Decline's slow-wasting charm, or fever's fierce distress. 

Death came unheralded — but it was well ; 

For so thy Saviour bore 
Kind witness, thou wast meet at once to dwell 
On His eternal shore ; 
All warning spared, 
For none He gives where hearts are for prompt change 
prepared. 

Death wrought in mystery ; both complaint and cure 
To numan skill unknown — 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 39 

God put aside all means, to make us sure 
It was His deed alone 
Lest we should lay- 
Reproach on our poor selves, that thou wast caught 
away. 

Death urged as scant of time — lest, sister dear, 

We many a lingering day 
Had sickened with alternate hope and fear 

The ague of delay ; 

Watching each spark 
Of promise quenched in turn, till all our sky was dark 

Death came and went — that so thy image might 

Our yearning hearts possess, 
Associate with all pleasant thoughts and bright, 

With youth and loveliness; 
Sorrow can claim, 
Mary, nor lot nor part in thy soft soothing name. 

Joy of sad hearts, and light of downcast eyes ! 

Dearest, thou art enshrined 
In all thy fragrance in our memories ; 
For we must ever find 
Bare thought of thee 
Freshen this weary life, while weary life shall be. 

Dr. J. H. Newman. 



40 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 



A LITTLE MAID'S " AMEN. 



A RUSTLE of robes as the anthem 
Soared gently away on the air — 
The Sabbath morn's service was over, 

And briskly I stepped down the stairs ; 
When close, in a half-lighted corner, 

Where the tall pulpit stairway came down, 
Asleep crouched a tender, wee maiden, 
With hair like a shadowy crown. 

Quite puzzled was I by the vision, 
But gently to wake her I spoke, 
When, at the first word, the small damsel 
With one little gasp straight awoke. 
" What brought you here, fair little angel ?" 

She answered with voice like a bell : 
" I turn, tos I've dot a sick mamma, 

And want 'oo to please pray her well." 

" Who told you ?" began I ; she stopped me ; 
" Don't nobody told me at all, 
And papa can't see, tos he's cryin' 
And 'sides, sir, I isn't so small ; 
I's been here before with my mamma, 

We tummed when you ringed the big bell ; 
And ev'ry time I's heard you prayin' 
For lots of sick folks to dit well." 

Together we knelt on the stairway, 
As humbly I asked the Great Power 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 41 

To give back her health to the mother 
And banish bereavement's dark hour. 

I finished the simple petition, 

And paused for a moment — and then, 

A sweet little voice at my elbow 
Lisped softly, a gentle " Amen !" 

Hand in hand, we turned our steps homeward, 

The little maid's tongue knew no rest ; 
She prattled, and mimicked, and caroled- 

The shadow was gone from her breast ; 
And lo ! when we reached the fair dwelling — 

The nest of my golden-haired waif — 
We found that the dearly loved mother 

Was passed the dread crisis — and safe. • 

They listened, amazed at my story, 

And wept o'er their darling's strange quest 
While the arms of the pale, loving mother 

Drew the brave little head to her breast ; 
With eyes that were brimming and grateful 

They thanked me again and again — 
Yet I know in my heart that the blessing 

Was won by that gentle " Amen !" 

Gospel Expositor. 



BEAUTIFUL GRANDMAMMA. 



GRANDMAMMA sits in her quaint arm-chair ; 
Never was lady more sweet and fair ; 
Her gray locks ripple like silver shells, 
And her brow its own calm story tells 



42 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Of a gentle life and a peaceful even, 
A trust in God and a hope in heaven. 

Little girl Mary sits rocking away 

In her own low seat, like some winsome fay ; 

Two doll babies her kisses share, 

And another one lies by the side of her chair ; 

May is fair as the morning dew, 

Cheeks of roses and ribbons of blue. 

" Say, grandmamma," says the pretty elf, 
" Tell me a story about yourself. 

When you were little, wh*t did you play ? 

Were you good or naughty, the whole long day ? 

Was, it hundreds and hundreds of years ago? 

And what makes your soft hair as white as snow ? 

u Did you have a .mamma to hug and kiss? 
And a dolly like this, and this, and ibis ? 
Did you have a pussy like my little Kate? 
Did you go to bed when the clock struck eight? 
Did you have long curls and beads like mine, 
And a new silk apron, with ribbons fine ?" 

Grandmamma smiled at the little maid, 
And laying a^ide her knittiug, she said : 
" Go to my desk, and a red box you'll see; 
Carefully lift it, and bring it to me." 
So May put her dollies away, and ran, 
Saying, " I'll be careful as ever I can." 

Then grandmamma opened the box, and lo ! 
A beautiful child, with throat like snow, 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 43 

Lips just tinted like pink shells rare, 
Eyes of hazel, and golden hair, 
Hands all dimpled, and teeth like pearls, 
Fairest and sweetest of little girls. 

" Oh ! who is it ?" cried winsome May, 

How I wish she was here to-day ! 

Wouldn't I love her like everything ; 

Say, dear grandmamma, who can she be?" 
"Darling," said grandmamma, "that child was me." 

May looked long at the dimpled grace, 

And then at the saint-like, fair old face ; 
" How funny," she cried, with a smile and a kiss, 
u To have such a dear little grandma as this ! 

Still," she added, with a smiling zest, 
"I think, dear grandma, I like you best," 

So May climbed on the silken knee, 
And grandma told her her history ; 
What plays she played, what toys she had, 
How at times she was naughty, or good, or sad, 
" But the best thing you did," said May, " don't you 
see ? 
Was to grow to a beautiful grandma for me." 



TO THE DEPARTED. 



I KNOW thou hast gone to the place of thy rest, 
Then why should my soul be so sad? 
I know thou hast gone where the weary are blest, 
Where the mourner looks up and is glad. 



44 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS, 

Where Love casts aside, in the land of its birth, 

The stains that it gathered in this, 
And Hope, the sweet singer that gladdened the earth, 

Sits asleep on the bosom of Bliss. 

I know thou hast gone where thy forehead is starred 
With the beauty that dwelt in thy soul ; 

Where the light of thy loveliness cannot be marred 
Nor thy heart be flung back from its goal. 

I know thou hast drunk of the Lethe that flows 

In a land where they do not forget ; 
That casts over memory only repose, 

And takes from it only regret. 

In thy far-away dwelling, wherever it be, 

I know thou hast glimpses of mine ; 
And the Love that made all things as music to me, 

I have not yet learned to resign. 

In the hush of the night, on the waste of the sea, 

Or alone with the breeze on the hill, 
I have ever a presence which whispers of thee, 

And my spirit lies down and is still. 

This eye must be dark which so long has been dim, 

Ere again it can gaze upon thine ; 
But my heart has revealings of thee and thy home, 

In many a token and sign. 

I never look up with a vow to the sky, 
But a light like thy beauty is there ; 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 45 

And I hear a low murmur like thine in reply, 
When I pour out my spirit in prayer. 

And though, like a mourner that sits by the tomb, 

I am wrapped in a mantle of care, 
Yet the grief of my spirit — oh ! call it not gloom — 

Is not the wild grief of despair. 

By sorrow revealed, as the stars are by night, 

Far off a bright vision appears, 
And Hope, like the rainbow, a creature of ligh 

Is born, like the rainbow, in tears. 



THE LORD CARETH. 



HE cares for me ! Why do I fret 
At every little ill, 
And vex myself so needlessly ? — 
Oh ! heart be still ! 

Resting on Him then let me stay 

Upon His hopeful word ; 
Faithful are all the promises 

Of our dear Lord. 

Peace in my heart, what shall I fear 

While I sojourn below? 
He will defend me in the fight 

From every foe. 

Let friends be cold, or foes be wroth 
And bitter malice cast — 



46 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

My Saviour, midst a hating world 
Loved to the last. 

He cares for me ! Oh ! wondrous care ! 

Lord, fill my barren heart 
With love divine for all Thy love : 

Bid sin depart. 

The lilies and the snowdrops grow 

In lowly beauty rare ; 
But He will clothe me with a robe 

Surpassing fair. 

I come to Thee ! Jesus, I cast 

My cares and fears on Thee ; 
Bid me of self and earthliness, 

From sin me free. 

Then to my Father's house me bring, 

That holy dwelling-place, 
To love, and serve, and praise Thee there, 

And see Thy face. 

Sunday Magazine. 



THE PILLAR OF THE CLOUD. 



LEAD, kindly light! amid th' encircling gloom, 
Lead Thou me on ! 
The night is dark, and I am far from home ; 

Lead Thou me on ! 
Keep Thou my feet ; I do not ask to see 
The distant scene ; one step enough for me. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 47 

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou 

Shouldst lead me on ; 
I loved to choose and see my path ; but now 

Lead Thou me on ! 
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, 
Pride ruled by will. Remember not past years. 

So long Thy power hath blessed me, sure it still 

Will lead me on 
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till 

The night is gone ; 
And with the morn those angel faces smile 
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile. 

John H. Newman. 



BEAUTIFUL THINGS. 



BEAUTIFUL faces are those that wear — 
It matters little if dark or fair — 
Whole-souled honesty printed there. 

Beautiful eyes are those that show, 

Like crystal panes where hearth-fires glow, 

Beautiful thoughts that burn below. 

Beautiful lips are those whose words 
Leap from the heart like songs of birds, 
Yet whose utterance prudence girds. 

Beautiful hands are those that do 
Work that is earnest and brave and true, 
Moment by moment the long day through. 



48 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Beautiful feet are those that go 
On kindly ministries to and fro — 
Down lowliest ways, if God wills it so. 

Beautiful shoulders are those that bear 
Ceaseless burdens of homely care 
With patient grace and daily prayer. 

Beautiful lives are those that bless — 

Silent rivers of happiness, 

Whose hidden fountains but few may guess. 

Beautiful twilight at set of sun, 
Beautiful goal, with race well won, 
Beautiful rest, with work well done. 

Beautiful graves where grasses creep, 

Where brown leaves fall, where drifts lie deep 

Over worn-out hands — oh ! beautiful sleep ! 



THE THREE PARSONS 

A SAILOR DEACON'S STORY. 



I DON'T belong to the 'Stablished Church, myself, 
sir, as I'm a Independent, a-beggin' your pardon, 
as I know you to be a Church parson. 

But you see what I says is this : you take a lot o' 
men like us fisherfolk, as works 'ard all the week, and 
mostly under command, a-doin' what the skipper tells us 
— 'aulin in ropes, settin' sail, draggin' nets, one thing 
and another as you naterally don't know nothing 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 49 

about — with nobody for to feel authority over like, 
'ceptin' maybe a boy or two what anybody can knock 
about ; well, now, if so be as we chaps go in for the 
'Stablished Church, we aint nobody no more at Church 
than aboard the boats ; we aint got no woice in what's 
to be done, and we aint got no sort of power or com- 
mand like. But if we goes in for the Methodies or the 
Baptists (which is a lot, howsomdever, as I don't 'old 
with at all, as I knowed one old man who almost got 'is 
death through a being kep' under too long, consequens 
of the mini-ter a lettiti' 'm slip and 'is legs gettin' en- 
tangled in the sheet), but if, I say, we join any of the 
sectises, why we get made a lot of — some being stooards, 
some deacons, and some a-takin' round the 'at You 
should see me and old Cockles foller our minister out o' 
the westry o* Sundays, or a-makin' the collection arter- 
wards, and our names called out sometimes from the 
pulpit: " Brother Cockles and Brother Coleman." 

Then, again, if we don't 'old with what our minister 
preaches, or if we seem to want a change, we can tell 'im 
to look out for a call to some other place : and afore we 
engages a hand, we have a lot down on trial. We pays 
our money and we takes our choice. 

Now, gen'rally speaking, when we're on the look-out 
for a minister, we have one chap down one Sunday, 
another on the follerin' Sunday, and so on till we're 
satisfied — one done, t'other come on. But it so hap- 
pened, one time we wanted a minister, we all seemed 
most dreadful particular — we couldn't satisfy ourselves. 
We had six down runnin/ but none of 'em didn't suit. 
At last, by some little misunderstandin', we had three 
come down to preach their trial sermons on the same 
4 



50 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Sunday ; and we arranged it that the Rev. Paul Duster 
should preach in the morning the Rev. Halgernon 
Sydney Crackles in the arternoon, and the Rev. John 
Brown in the evenin'. 

When the Sunday came when we was to try 'em, we 
was all agog like. 

" You mark my words, mate," says Cockles to me in 
the westry, " there'll be some close sailin'. I'm rather 
inclined," he continners werry thoughtful, " to bet on 
the old gentTrnin wot's got the runnin' this morn' as is 
strict orthodox, and appears to me to carry a deal of 
canvas." 

" 'Ere he comes," I says, and sure enough he were 
just tacking across the road under convoy of Bill Tubbs, 
the butterman, as was understood to have took 'im in 
hand. 

A dreadful severe-looking man were Mr. Duster, with 
a himmense 'ead and face, both on 'em bald and shining, 
and 9 U 'cad all over bumps. He certainly were awful 
himpressive to look at. The sermon he preached were 
severe orthodox, and the language quite as uncommon 
as you could ha' got in a 'Stablished Church — Greek 
and Latin, and all sorts. 

" 'Ere's words," I says to Cockles. 

" Words, and sound doctrine too, mate," says Cockles 
— as was wery particular about doctrine. 

And surelie we got enough about doctrine that mornin' 
f>r all the sermon was a up'oldin' of all as our sec' be- 
lieves, and a-showin' 'ow all other sec tises is wrong. The 
Latin quotations went down himmense, and I see several 
ladies overcome by the Greek. The sermon, in fact, 
caused a tremenjious sensation, and Tubbs trotted 'is 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 51 

man away in high sperits, and lookin' proud and trium- 
phant, as though the whole thing was finished and 'is 
man engaged. 

In the arternoon we meets for to hear the second 
preacher, as turned out so wery poetical and 'eart 
breakin' that he seemed fairly like takin , the wind out 
of the other's sails. His woice had a beautiful shivery - 
shakery in it, and he wep' that copious I thought some- 
times we should have to bail the pulpit out and ask 'im 
to weep over the side (which is maybe a hexaggeration). 
How he shot about that blessed pulpit ! first one side, 
then t'other, 'is eyes a-rollin' and 'is face purple, a-gurg- 
lin' and a-yellin', and a-whisperm' and ashoutin'. He 
were a lean, pale man, regular poetical-looking, with 
long hair, and a nose a trifle red at the knob. 

At half-arter six, we meets for to hear the last 
preacher. Only a few on us saw 'im before he got into 
the pulpit; but we quite agreed that let alone 'is name, 
which were ag'in 'im, he wasn't the man for our money, 
and [ see at once as he didn't go down like with the con- 
gregation. He were only about tw T enty-five, and a trifle 
under-sized, and at first sight didn't look anything at all 
out o' the common ; but somehow I fancied there was 
something in 5 is eye and hangin' about 'is mouth that 
showed he'd got good stuff in 'im. Howsomdever, I 
didn't think he'd do for us, whatever he'd got stowed 
away. Well, he preached his sermon — a short straight- 
away sermon, what everybody could understand. It 
wasn't doctrinal, nor it were not poetical, but just prac- 
tical, a-tellm' us as how everybody in the world had 
dooties to perform, from queen to pauper, and then a- 
goin' on about our dooties, and how we should stick to 



52 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

'em and " never say die " like — sort o' standin' by the 
ship, however the winds might roar and the sea rage. 

Arter the meeting we had a little gatherin' in the 
westry — just a few on us to talk matters over, don't yer 
know — and the only question seemed to be, should we 
go in for doctrine and elect the doctrinal chap, or wote 
for the poetical. 

We seemed about equally diwided on the point, no- 
body sayin' nothin' about the young chap what had just 
preached. Words got rather 'igh at last ; and Tubbs 
(as though considered conwerted by some, were in my 
opinion not quite done yet) got so excited about Cockles 
backin' the other man, that I believe if Tubbs hadn't 
been small and unnateral fat, he would ha* struck 
Cockles. 

On the Wednesday night there was to be a Church 
Meeting to settle about electin' one on 'em ; but none of 
us knowed when we separated that Sunday night how 
wery soon our choice was to be made. 

I reckon that Sunday night wall never be forgotten, 
mister, so long as this 'ere place has got a boat on the 
water, or a house on the shore ; the night of the great 
storm we call it, when the Spanish " San Pedro " went 
to pieces. 

I 'ad a look out to sea accordin' to custom afore I 
t irned in, and I saw a wessel in the offing, which I made 
out to be a London-bound ship. I didn't much like the 
look of things, and I said a bit of a prayer for all poor 
chaps afloat and in danger that night. 

Well, sir, an old sailor like me always sleeps with one 
eye open, so when the winds began to gather strong, and 
the waves to tumble and roll, and dash against the jetty 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 53 

there, I woke up. By-and-by the wind got higher and 
higher, rattlin' the winder-panes, shriekin' and 'owlin', 
and the sound of the risin' waves got louder and louder. 
All of a sudden I thought of that ship I had seen passing, 
and out I jumped from my bunk into my clothes, clapped 
on a sou'-wester, and made for the beach. 

What a night it was ! You see the black rock out 
there, sir? Well, you've never seen that covered since 
you've been 'ere, I know, and you might stop for years 
and never see it covered ; but that night the great black 
waves were beatin' right over the top, and bang across 
the jetty. The sky was just as black as ink, and the 
wind blowin' at last fit to wake the dead. By-and-by, 
crack, blaze, crack went the lightning and boom, boom, 
boom, followed the thunder, the awful sound pealin' 
above our heads, and seemin' to roll away over that 
dreadful sea. Almost all the men and women in the 
place were on the beach, and even little chil'len 'ad crept 
away from home, and were clingin' to their mothers' 
gowns. 

The first flash had showed us an awful sight — a ship, 
part of 'er riggin' all entangled on 'er deck, driftin' 
straight on for the rocks. Nought on earth could help 
'er — there she was — a noble, handsome craft, drivin' 
right ashore, drivin' fast and sure into the jaws of death ! 
Only the hand of God itself put out from heaven 
could J^eep 'er off. The women and chiFlen were 
weepin' — weepin' for brave men to die, for sailors' wives 
to be made widows, and sailors' little ones made orphans 
that night ; and many a man's true heart, as we stood 
there grimly silent, was wild with sorrow at its own 
helplessness. 

Just as another flash of lightnin' lit up the scene, she 



54 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

struck with a great shiverin' shock ; wild cries from the 
wreck were borne to the shore, and the women shuddered 
and fell on their knees, while from man to man went 
the question : " Can we do nothing — nothing — to help 
them now?" But what could we do? We hadn't got 
no life-boat then, sir, or no rockets or such-like appa- 
ratus, and we knowed that none of our boats could live 
in a sea like that ; while as to swimming off to the wreck 
— no wonder that even brave hearts quailed a bit, 
though a rope 'ad been fetched and was lying handy. 
All at once I heard a noise behind and turns round. A 
lot of lanterns had beeu lit, aud I could see everything 
plainly. Clingin' together in the background was still 
the women and chiPleri, between them and us was two 
of the parsons — the poetical one on 'is knees, and 
t'other one, 'is hat blown clean away, and 'is bumps all 
wisible, was 'oldin on tight to a jetty-post, and giving 
went to the doctrine that it was God Almighty's will 
the poor fellows in the wreck should perish. As I said 
afore, every hale man in the place seemed on the beach ; 
and I didn't see the young preacher chap of that even- 
in', as I found arterwards had gone to a farm a little 
way up country. But just as I was thinkin' of 'im I 
see 'im comin', makin' with quick, hasty strides towards 
the water. With a light spring he jumps down on to 
the beach and straight on, 'is mouth set firm and steady 
and all 'is face glowin' with a light which wasn't on it 
in the pulpit — straight on, lookin' neither to port nor 
starboard, but straight for'ard. 

" Stand aside, women !" 

Calm and cool he orders them, and to right and left 
they scatter. 

Straight on he comes — past the poetical parson on 'is 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 55 

knees, and the doctrinal one a-'anging to the jetty-post 
— on to where we men was standin' — and then off he 
flings 'is hat and coat and boots, and takes 'old of the 
rope ; as though in a moment he understands all. " Lads, 
bear a hand !" 

But now we crowd round 'im ; saying, " Sir, you shall 
uot go [" 

With 'is own hands he fixes on the rope to 'is body, 
wavin' us off as we press round 'im, and then givin' one 
look towards the wreck, and one look — bright and 
quick— up to heaven, he takes a step back, and then : 
" Stand aside, lads !" 

With a great rush everybody presses for'ard to the 
water's edge, and with bated breath and strainiu' eyes 
we watch the strugglin' swimmer. Beaten, buffeted, 
bruised, tossed hither and thither — can he ever reach 
the ship ? To us on sh >re it seems impossible. But God 
Himself, sir, must have filled that brave young mi*n with 
strength for 'is daring deed — for see! strugglin' hard, 

o o bo y 

though not so strongly as at first, for 'is limbs must be 
all numb and weary now, and per'aps even 'is heart is 
giving way — see he is getting a little nearer. Nearer 
still — O God support 'im ! Still nearer, still a little 
nearer ; and the poor foreign fellows on the " San 
Pedro " are crowdin' over the side, cheerin' 'im on with 
wild and thaukful cries. 

But we on shore are silent still, for our hearts are too 
full for word or shout. But at last we break that silence 
— break it with a shout I can almost hear yet — such a 
" hurrah !" as I never heard afore or since — for at last 
the swimmer, has reached the ship, and a great wave 
flings 'im almost on board ; and we make out many 



56 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

hands stretched forth to help 'im over the ship's side. 
The women were cryin' for joy now — aye, and many a 
rough fisher- chap d rawed 'is sleeve across 'is eyes to 
brush away tears he need never ha' been ashamed of. 

Well, sir, every man on that wessel, which turned out 
to be a London-bound Spaniard — was saved. One arter 
another they come ashore, and such a set-out I never 
did see, for if they didn't want to kiss and 'ug us as 
though we 'ad all been a parcel of women together. 

Bruised and pale, with blood still a-trickling from a 
great gash in 'is head, where he must ha' struck the 
rocks, at last there came ashore young Parson Brown, 
and men, women, and chii'len, all eager to see 'is face or 
touch 'is hand, crowded round 'im. 

" Lads," says old Cockles, " I can't say much, but 
what I do say is " — and he takes 'old tight o' young 
Brown's hand—" God bless Our Minister !" 

" Hurrah !" I yells, and then, dreadful excited, I 
walks up to the Reverend Halgemon Sydney Crackles, 
and I says: " Poetry be blowed ! Hurrah !" 

Just then I caught sight o' that there unconwerted 
Tubbs. He also were laborin' under dreadful 
emotion, 'i3 little fat body a heavin', and puflSn' and 
tremblin'. All of a sudden he starts for'ard, pantin', 
and makin' straight for poor Duster, he shakes 'is little 
fist in the gentl'man's face, and hollors — :< Doctrine be 
blowed!" 

" God bless Our Minister, Hurrah !" 

That was the way we elected a parson that time, sir. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 57 



LOOKING OUT FOR ME. 



TWO little busy hands pattiug on the window, 
Two laughing, bright eyes looking out at me ; 
Two rosy-red cheeks dented with a dimple ; 
Mother- bird is coming ; baby, do you see ? 

Down by the lilac-bush, something white and azure, 
Saw I in the window as I passed the tree ; 

Well I knew the apron and shoulder-knots of ribbon, 
All belonged to baby, looking out for me. 

Talking low and tenderly 

To myself, as mothers will, 
Spake I softly, " God in Heaven, 

Keep my darling free from ill. 
Worldly gain and worldly honors 

Ask I not for her from Thee ; 
But from want, and sin, and sorrow, 

Keep her ever pure and free." 

Two little waxen hands, 

Folded soft and silently ; 
Two little curtained eyes, 

Looking out no more for me. 

Two little snowy cheeks, 

Dimple-dented nevermore ; 
Two little trodden shoes, 

That will never touch the floor ; 



58 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Shoulder-ribbon softly twisted, 
Apron folded, clean and white ; 

These are left me — and these only 
Of the childish presence bright. 

Thus He sent an answer to my earnest praying, 

Thus He keeps my darling free from earthly stain, 
Thus He folds the pet lamb safe from earthly straying; 

But I miss her sadly by the window pane, 
Till I look above it : then with purer vision, 

Sad, I weep no longer the lilac-bush to pass, 
For I see her, angel, pure, and white, and sinless, 

Walking with the harpers, by the sea of giasa. / 

Two little snowy wings 

Softly flutter to and fro, 
Two tiny, childish hands 

Beckon still to me below; 
Two tender angel eyes 

Watch me ever earnestly 
Through the loop-holes of the stars - 

Baby's looking out for me. 



BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE. 



MINE eyes were stiffened with the last night's tears, 
And my brow ached too heavily to weep, 
Opprest with sorrow past and future fears, 
Too weary to awake — too sad to sleep. 

With listless hand I drew away the blind 

To look where lay the morning dull and gray ; 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 59 

I heard no whisper of the cold night wind, 
I saw no gleam to chase the gloom away. 

Spread like a morning veil on every hill 

Hung cheerless mist, through which the dark dawn 
crept ; 
The rain drops on the trees lay cold and still, 

Like tears' of one who in his sleep hath wept. 

Sadly I turned and laid me down again 

Till sorrow's leaden trance my sense did steal. 

As those who lulled by very strength of pain 
Forget their pain awhile and cease to feel. 

So passed the hours away, and I awoke ; 

But" while I slept the world had traveled on — 
The damp mist rolled away, the morning broke, 

And, pouring radiance forth, uprose the sun. 

The purple hills were tinged with living light, 
Tiie grass was waving in the morning breeze, 

Like sparkling gems the rain-drops of the night 
In rainbow showers were glittering from the trees. 

Then my heart melted too, and the deep gloom 
Passed like the dreary morning mist away ; 

The sun shone warm and bright into my room, 
And I rose up from my dull trance to pray. 

O God, most merciful ! 'tis ever so : 

While thankless man feels but the present pain, 
And lies steeped in the weariness of woe, 

Thy step is drawing near to heal again. 



60 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Then teach us, Lord, to bow beneath the rod, 
Even for the chastisement to love the more; 

To trust the mercy of the loving God, 
And in the very blow His hand adore. 

So shall we walk through our life's checkered day. 

Safe from its noontide heat, its evening blight, 
Till the last hour of gloom shall pass away, 

And leave us to awake in endless light. 



THE WAY TO BE BRAVE. 



SPEAK kindly to that poor old man, 
Pick up his fallen cane, 
And place it gently in his hand, 

That he may walk again. 
His bundle, too, replace with care 

Beneath his trembling arm ; 
Brave all the taunts that you may hear, 
To give his life a charm. 

A braver deed than scorners boast 

Will be your triumph then, 
A braver deed than annals tell 

Of some distinguished men. 
Yes ; leave that thoughtless, sneering crowd ; 

Dare to be good and kind ; 
Then let them laugh, as laugh they may ; 

Pass on ; but never mind. 

Pass on ; but think once more of him 
The wreck that you have seen, 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 61 

How once a happy boy like you 

He sported on the green ; 
A cloudless sky above his head, 

The future bright and fair, 
And friends all watching o'er his couch, 

To breathe affection's prayer. 

But ah, the change ! He wanders now, 

Forsaken, lone, and sad ; 
Thrice blessed is the task of those 

Who strive to make him glad. 
Speak kindly to that poor old man, 

Pick up his fallen cane, 
For that will ease his -burdened heart, 

And make him smile again. 



LEAD ME, O LORD! 



TDO not ask, O Lord, that life may be 
A pleasant road ; 
I do not ask that Thou would'st take from me 
Aught of its load. 

I do not ask that flowers should always spring 

Beneath my feet ; 
I know too well the poison and the sting 

Of things too sweet. 

For one thing only, Lord, dear Lord, I plead— 
Lead me aright, 



62 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Though strength should falter, and though heart should 
bleed, 
Through peace to light. 

I do not ask ray cross to understand, 

My way to see ; 
Better in darkness just to feel Thy hand, 

And follow Thee. 

Joy is like restless day, but peace divine 

Like quiet night; 
Lead me, O L'>rd, till perfect day shall shine 

Through peace to light. 

Adelaide Proctor. 



MAXIMUS. 



r HOLD him great who, for love's sake 
X Can give with generous, earnest will ; 
Yet him who takes fur love's sweet sake 
I think I hold more generous still. 

I bow before the noble mind 

That freely some great wrong forgives; 
Yet nobler is the one forgiven 

Who bears that burden well and lives. 

It may be hard to gain, and still 
To keep a lowly, steadfast heart ; 

Yet he who loses has to fill 
A harder and a truer part. 






SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 63 

Glorious is it to wear the crown 

Of a deserved and pure success ; 
He who knows how to fail, has won 

A crown whose lustre is not less. 

Great may he be who can command 
And rule with just and teuder sway ; 

Yet is diviner wisdom taught 
Better by him who can obey. 

Blessed are they who die for God 

And earn the martyr's crown of light ; 

Yet he who lives for God may be 
A greater conqueror in His sight. 

Adj laide Proctor. 



WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR? 



THY neighbor? It is he whom thou 
Hast power to aid and bless ; 
Whose aching heart or burning brow 
Thy soothing hand may press. 

Thy neighbor ? ? Tis the fainting poor, 
Whose eye with want is dim, 

Whom hunger sends from door to door- 
Go thou and succor him ! 

Thy neighbor ? 'Tis that weary man, 
Whose years are at the brim, 

Bent low with sickness, care and pain- 
Go thou and comfort him ! 



G4 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Thy neighbor ? Tis the heart bereft 

Of every earthly gem ; 
Widow and orphan, helpless left — 

Go thou and shelter them ! 

Thy neighbor? Yonder toiling slave, 
Fetter'd in thought and limb, 

Whose hopes are all beyond the grave- 
Go thou and ransom him ! 

Whene'er thou meet'st a human form 
Less favor'd than thine own, 

Remember 'tis thy neighbor worm, 
Thy brother or thy son. 

Oh! pass not, pass not heedless by! 

Perhaps thou canst redeem 
The breaking heart from misery — 

Go, share thy lot with him ! 



THE TRUE FAITH, 



I DEEM his faith the best 
Who daily puts it into loving deeds 
Done for the poor, the sorrowing, the oppressed-— 

For these are more than creeds ; 
And, though overblinded reason oft may err, 
The heart that loves is faith's interpreter. 

The schoolman's subtle skill 
Wearies itself with vain philosophies 
That leave the world to grope in darkness still, 

Haply, from lies to lies ; 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. C5 

But whoso doeth good with heart and might 
Dwells in, and is made joyful by, the light. 

One hand outstretched to man 
In helpfulness, the other cliugs to God ; 
And thus upheld he walks through time's brief span 

In ways that Jesus trod ; 
Taught by His Spirit, and sustained and led, 
That life, like His, by love is perfected. 

Such faith, such love are thine ! 
Creeds may be false — at best, misunderstood ; 
But whoso reads the autograph divine 

Of Goodness doing good 
Need never err therein; come life, come death, 
It copies His — the Christ of Nazareth ! 

William H. Burleigh. 



GERMAN TRUST SONG. 



JUST as God leads me, I would go ; 
I would not ask to choose my way ; 
Content with what He will bestow, 
Assured He will not let me stray. 
So as He leads, my path I make, 
And step by step I gladly take, — 
A child, in Him confiding. 

Just as God leads, I am content ; 

I rest me calmly in His hands; 
That which He has decreed and sent, 

That which His will for me commands 
5 



66 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

I would that He should all fulfill; 
That I should do His gracious will 
In living or in dying. 

Just as God leads, I will resign ; 

I trust me to my Father's will ; 
When reason's rays deceptive shine, 

His counsel would I yet fulfill ; 
That which His love ordained as right, 
Before He brought me to the light, 

My all to Him resigning. 

Just as God leads me, I abide, 

In faith, in hope, in suffering true ; 

His strength is ever by my side — 
Can aught my hold on Him undo? 

I hold me firm in patience, knowing 

That God my life is still bestowing — 
The best in kindness sending. 

Just as God leads, I onward go ; 
Oft amid thorns and briers seen, 

God does not yet His guidance show- 
But in the end it shall be seen 

How, by a loving Father's will, 

Faithful and true, He leads me still. 

Lampertus, 1625. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 67 

THE CRUSE THAT FAILETH NOT. 

" It is more blessed to give than to receive." 



IS thy cruse of comfort wasting ? Rise and share it 
with another, 
And through all the years of famine, it shall serve thee 

and thy brother : 
Love divine will fill thy storehouse, or thy handful still 

renew ; 
Scanty fare for one will often make a royal feast for two. 

For the heart grows rich in giving ; all its wealth is 

living grain ; 
Seeds which mildew in the garner, scattered, fill with 

gold the plain. 
Is thy burden hard and heavy — do thy steps drag 

wearily ? 
Help to bear thy brother's burden ; God will bear both 

it and thee. 

Numb and weary on the mountains, wouldst thou sleep 

amidst the snow, 
Chafe that frozen form beside thee, and together both 

shall glow ; 
Art thou stricken in life's battle ? Many wounded round 

thee moan ; 
Lavish on their wounds thy balsam, and that balm shall 

heal thine own. 

Is thy heart a well left empty ? None but God its void 
can fill ; 

Nothing but a ceaseless fountain can its ceaseless long- 
ing still ; 



68 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Is thy heart a living power ? Self-entwined its strength 

sinks low ; 
It can only live in loving, and, by serving, love will 

grow. 

». 

SO MUCH MAY BE DONE. 



THERE is much that may be done 
While the glittering life-sands run, 
If ye be but earnest minded, 
If ye go not weakly blinded 
By gay Fashion's heartless folly, 
Or a selfish melancholy ; 
By a momentary pleasure, 
Or a love of ease and leisure ; 
Lured not by flitting beauty 
From the narrow path of duty. 
Much there is that may be done 
By an earnest-minded one. 

There is much that may be done 

By a gentle loving one ! 

Her sweet mercy's prayer to breathe, 

Her the manly brow to wreathe 

In fadeless garlands from above, 

Gemmed with the dew of heaven's love 

To soothe the careworn, troubled breast, 

To guard the weary pilgrim's rest, 

To close the eyes of age and youth, 

To whisper of celestial truth, 

Much — ah, much — may e'er be done 

By a gentle, loving one. 

Hebrew Journal. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 69 



GIVE THANKS, ALL YE PEOPLE, 



GIVE thanks, all ye people, give thanks to the Lord, 
Alleluias of freedom with joyful accord : 
Let the East and the West, North and South roll along, 
Sea, mountain, and prairie, one thanksgiving song. 

For the sunshine and rainfall, enriching again 
Our acres in myriads, with treasures of grain ; 
For the Earth still unloading her manifold wealth, 
For the Skies beaming vigor, the Winds breathing 
health : 

For the Nation's wide table, overflowingly spread, 
Where the many have feasted, and all have been fed, 
With no bondage, their God-given rights to enthrall, 
But Liberty guarded by Justice for all : 

In the realms of the anvil, the loom, and the plow, 
Whose the mines and the fields, to Him gratefully bow : 
His the flocks and the herds, sing ye hill-sides and vales ; 
On His ocean domains chant His name with the gales. 

Of commerce and traffic, ye princes, behold 
Your riches from Him, whose the silver and gold, 
Happier children of labor, true lords of the soil, 
Bless the Great Master- Workman who blesseth your 
toil 

Brave meu of our forces, Life-guard of our coasts. 
To your Leader be loyal, Jehovah of Hosts: 



70 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Glow the Stripes and the Stars aye with victory bright, 
Reflecting His glory — He crowneth the Right. 

Nor shall ye through our borders, ye stricken of heart, 
Only wailing your dead, in the joy have no part : 
God's solace be yours, and for you there shall flow 
All that honor and sympathy's gifts can bestow. 

In the Domes of Messiah, ye worshiping throngs, 
Solemn litanies mingle with jubilant songs; 
The Ruler of Nations beseeching to spare, 
And our Empire still keep the Elect of His care. 

Our guilt and transgressions remember no more ; 
Peace, Lord ! righteous Peace, of Thy gift we implore; 
And the Banner of Union, restored by Thy hand, 
Be the Banner of Freedom o'er all in the land. 



OUR COUNTRY'S NEEDS. 



" TTTH AT constitutes a state ? 

* V Not high-raised battlement or labored mound, 
Thick wall or moated gate ; 

Not cities proud with spires and turrets crowned ; 
Not bays and broad-armed ports, 
Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride ; 
Not starred and spangled courts, 
Where low-browed baseness wafts perfume to pride. 
No : men, high-minded men, 
With powers as far above dull brutes endued 
In forest, brake or den, 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 71 

As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude — 

Men, who their duties know — 

But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain, 

Prevent the long-aimed blow, 

And crush the tyrant, while they rend the chain : 

These constitute a state ; 

And sovereign law, that state's collected will, 

O'er thrones and globes elate 

Sits empress crowning good, repressing ill." 

What our country needs is men. Sober, honest, pure 
men, Men who will drink neither rum nor strong 
drink, and to whom no price in gold or honor is great 
enough to induce them to touch, taste, handle, or hold 
communion with the rum power. Men who are able to 
understand that alcohol is a fiend, a devil, and the 
greatest of all curses, and will have none of it. Such 
men will be true walls for any city. Strong bulwarks 
of society. These are the men of whom the world has 
need. 

And they are coming, hundreds of thousands, aye 
millions, to our aid. 

The signs of the times are full of promise and re- 
dolent with hope. We are not fighting as those who beat 
the air. We are on high vantage ground. Our many 
battles through the last fifty years have been victorious 
advances. 

The Temperance reformation i3 not a movement that 
can p-o backward. It is from the people, by the people, 
and for the people ; and such a movement cannot but 
eventually succeed. 

The people in a constitutionally governed country are 



72 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

the source of political power, and no institution, traffic, 
monopoly, privilege, or vested interest that is seen to be 
unjust and against the public weal, against the conscience 
and common-sense of the people, can continue to be de- 
fended and upheld. Before the voice and the vote and 
the determined will of the sovereign people, the liquor 
traffic must give way and be abolished. A thousand 
Liberty and Property Defense Leagues cannot uphold 
it when the people vote against it. 

John B. Finch. 



OUR LOST. 



THEY never quite leave us, our friends who have 
passed 
Through the shadows of death to the sunlight 
above ; 
A thousand sweet memories are holding them fast 
To the places they blessed with their presence and 
love. 

The work which they left and the books which they 
read 
Speak mutely, though still with an eloquence rare, 
And the songs that they sung, and dear words that they 
said, 
Yet linger and sigh on the desolate air. 

And oft when alone, and as oft in the throng, 
Or when evil allures us or sin draweth nigh, 

A whisper comes gently, " Nay, do not the wrong," 
And we feel that our weakness is pitied on high. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 16 

In the dew-threaded morn and the opaline eve, 

When the children are merry or crimsoned with 
sleep, 

We are comforted, even as lonely we grieve, 

For the thought of their rapture forbids us to weep. 

We toil at our tasks in the burden and heat 

Of life's passionate noon. They are folded in peace. 

It is well. We rejoice that their heaven is sweet, 
And one day for us all the bitterness will cease. 

We too will go home o'er the river of rest, 

As the strong and the lovely before us have gone ; 

Our sun will go down in the beautiful west, 
To rise in the glory that circles the throne. 

Until then we are bound by our love and our faith 

To the saints who are walking in Paradise fair. 
They have passed beyond sight, at the touching of 
death, 
But they live, like ourselves, in God's infinite care. 

Margaret E. Sangster. 



THE NEW YEAR. 



IT comes in darkness as the others came, 
Hiding its secrets from our longing eyes ; 
The profit and the loss, the praise and blame, 
The disappointment sore, the glad surprise. 

"O God ! what will it bring us ? — us and ours ?" 
We ask with trembling as we forward gaze ; 
Shall it be sunshine bright and fruitful showers, 
Or nights of sleepless care and weary days ? 



74 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

We can but wait with patience till the hour 
Unfold the mystic doors and bring the light ; 

But blessed be our God, our weal is sure. 

The Lord is ever near — our guide and might. 

Let us but hear His voice and we are calm, 

Though tempests rage and darkness shroud our 
path, 

Through the drear gloom shall rise the joyous psalm, 
And faith shall thrive amid the signs of wrath. 

His love that led us safely through the last 
Shall lead us safely through the coming year, 

His kingly bounty that supplied the past 

Shall fill our lives with good, our hearts with cheer. 

He never failed us yet, He never will, 
Eternal Truth can neither faint nor fail ; 

Whate'er betide us, be it good or ill, 

His boundless mercy shall in all prevail. 

"Glory to God!" we thus begin the year, 
" Glory to God !" shall be on earth our song, 
And when our pilgrimage is ended here, 
Eternity shall still the strain prolong. 

C. Innes Cameron. 



THE GOLD OF HOPE. 



BRIGHT shines the sun, but brighter after rain ; 
The clouds that darken make the sky more clear ; 
So rest is sweeter when it follows pain, 

And the sad parting makes our friends more dear. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 75 

'Tis well it should be thus : our Father knows 
The things that work together for our good ; 

We draw a sweetness from our bitten woes — 
We would not have all sunshine if we could. 

The days with all their beauty and their light 
Come from the dark and into dark return ; 

Day speaks of earth, but heaven shines through the 
night, 
Where in the blue a thousand star-fires burn. 

So runs the law, the law of recompense, 

That binds our life on earth and heaven in one ; 

Faith cannot live w T hen all is sight and sense, 
But faith can live and sing when these are gone. 

We grieve and murmur, for we can but see 
The single thread than flies in silence by ; 

When, if we only saw the things to be, 

Our lips would breathe a song and not a sigh; 

Wait thou, my soul, and edge the darkening cloud 
With the bright gold that Hope can always lend; 

And if to-day thou art with sorrow bowed, 
Wait till to-morrow and thy grief shall end ! 

And when we reach the limit of our days, 
Beyond the reach of shadows and of night, 

Then shall our every look and voice be praise 
To Him who shines, our everlasting light. 

Henry Burton. 



76 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 



VACANT PLACES. 



ONE by one the kind and gentle, loving spirits glide 
away. 
Who have done their life-work nobly, who have labored 

while 'twas day. 
Kindred hearts are bowed in sorrow — these are missed 

from friendship's band, 
Missed where they were wont to mingle, loved and 

mourned on every hand. 
Voices silent, faces absent, that have given love and 

light, 
With their solid, kindly greeting, walking sweetly in the 

right. 

"Who will fill their vacant places?" who the fallen 

mantle wear ? 
Who will cheer where they have gladdened ? who like 

them the cross will bear ? 
Who will give the bread and water with a free and 

generous hand ? 
Who will minister glad tidings, love and peace through- 
out the land? 
Oh! these lives, so good and useful, all so full of love 

and truth, 
Who have well fulfilled their mission, from the dawning 

of their youth ; 
And have left us, passing meekly 'neath the Father's 

chastening rod. 
Their example still may teach us deeper love and faith 

in God. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 77 

He alone can fill the places of the laborers called aside — 
Ere the fields are white for harvest He can wondrously 

provide. 
From the ranks we least may reckon standard-bearers 

may arise, 
While more humble duties others must perform, but not 

despise. 
Let us then not mourn too sadly, but with willing hearts 

of cheer 
Strive to make our lives a blessing in the world of beauty 

here; 
And, like them, when work is ended, calmly, peacefully 

await, 
Knowing there is joy and gladness just beyond the 

heavenly gate. 

Friends' Intelligencer. 



FOOTSTEPS OF ANGELS. 



WHEN the hours of Day are numbered, 
And the voices of the Night 
Wake the better soul, that slumbered, 
To a holy, calm delight ; 

Ere the evening lamps are lighted, 
And, like phantoms grim and tall, 

Shadows from the fitful firelight 
Dance upon the parlor wall ; 

Then the forms of the departed 

Enter at the open door ; 
The beloved, the true-hearted, 

Come to visit me once more ; 






78 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

He, the young and strong, who cherished 

Noble longings for the strife, 
By the roadside fell and perished, 

Weary with the march of life ! 

They, the holy ones and weakly, 
Who the cro?s of suffering bore, 

Folded their pale hands so meekly, 
Spake with us on earth no more ! 

And with them the Being Beauteous, 

Who unto my youth was given, 
More than all things else to love me, 

And is now a saint in Heaven. 

With a slow and noiseless footstep 

Comes that messenger divine, 
Takes the vacant chair beside me, 

Lays her gentle hand in mine. 

And she sits and gazes at me 

With those deep and tender eyes, 

Like the stars, so still and saint-like, 
Looking downward from the skie& 

Uttered not, yet comprehended, 

Is the spirit's voiceless prayer, 
Soft rebukes, in blessings ended, 

Breathing from her lips of air. 

O, though oft depressed and lonely, 

All my fears are laid aside, 
If I but remember only 

Such as these have lived and died ! 

Longfellow. 



( 

SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 79 



ETERNAL GOODNESS. 



I KNOW not what the future hath, 
Of marvel or surprise, 
Assured alone that life and death 
His mercy underlies. 

No offerings of my own I have, 
No works by faith to prove; 

I can but give the gifts He gave, 
And plead His love for love. 

And so, beside the silent sea, 

I wait the muffled oar ; 
No harm from Him can come to me, 

On ocean or on shore. 

I know not where His islands lift 
Their fronded palms in air ; 

I only know I cannot drift 
Beyond His love and care. 



BE TRUE. 



THOU must be true thyself, 
If thou the truth wouldst teach ; 
Thy soul must overflow, if thou 
Another's soul wouldst reach ; 
It needs the overflow of heart 
To give the lips full speech. 



80 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS 

Think truly, and thy thoughts 

Shall the world's famine feed ; 
Speak truly, and each word of thine 

Shall be a fruitful seed ; 
Live truly, and thy life shall be 

A great and noble creed. 

Horatio Bonar. 



ENOUGH. 



I AM so weak, dear Lord, I cannot stand 
One moment without Thee ; 
But oh, the tenderness of thine enfolding, 
And oh, the faithfulness of Thine upholding, 
And oh, the strength of Thy right hand ! 
That strength is enough for me. 

I am so needy, Lord, and yet I know 

All fullness dwells in Thee ; 
And hour by hour that never-failing treasure 
Supplies and fills in overflowing measure, 
My least, my greatest need. And so 
Thy grace is enough for me. 

It is so sweet to trust Thy word alone ! 

I do not ask to see 
The unveiling of Thy purpose, or the shining 
Of future light or mysteries untwining ; 
Thy promise-roll is all my own, 

Thy word is enough for me. 

The human heart asks love. But now I know 
That my heart hath from Thee 






SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 81 

All real, and fall, and marvelous affection 
So near, so human! Yet Divine perfection 
Thrills gloriously the mighty glow! 
Thy love is enough for me. 

There were strange soul depths, restless, vast, and broad, 

Unfathomed as the sea, 
An infinite craving for some infinite stilling; 
But now Thy perfect love is perfect filling ! 
Lord Jesus Christ, my Lord, my God, 

Thou, Thou art enough for me ! 

Frances Ridley Havergal. 



WINTER GLOAMING. 

AND now the slowly fading light 
Dies out upon the meadows ; 
And I walk on with weary feet, 

Among the gathering shadows. 
The wintry winds blow cold and chill, 

The pine trees moan and shiver, 
And drooping willows sway their arms 
Above the ice-bound river. 

While on the far horizon's edge 

The sunset glow is gleaming, 
This valley land is full of g'oom, 

With shapeless phantoms teeming. 
But when the last beam dies away, 

My feet shall cease their roaming, 
Where love and home are waiting me 

Beyond the winter gloaming. 
6 



82 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

So when my day of life is done, 

And twilight shadows lengthen, 
Till all around is dark and drear, 

This hope my heart shall strengthen, 
That with the slowly fading light 

My feet shall cease from roaming, 
Where rest and home are waiting me 

Beyond life's winter gloaming. 

Faith Lincoln, 



BEYOND. 



I SHALL steer my bark where the waves roll dark, 
I shall cross a stranger sea ; 
But I know I shall land on that bright strand 
Where my loved ones are waiting for me. 

There are faces there divinely fair, 

The earth lost long ago ; 
And foreheads white, where curls lay bright, 

Like sunbeams over snow. 

There are sunny eyes like their own blue skies — 

Eyes that I've seen before — 
That will grow as bright as the stars of night 

When I near the welcome shore. 

There are little feet that I loved to meet 

When the world was sweet to me ; 
I know they will bound when the rippling sound 

Of my boat comes o'er the sea. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 83 

I shall see them stand on the gleaming sand, 

Their white arms o'er the tide, 
Waiting to twine their hands in mine 

When I reach the farther side. 



SIMON'S BURDEN. 



"A man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to 
bear the cross." — Matt, xxvii, 32. 

COMPEL me, Lord, to bear Thy cross ! 
Then, though the weary flesh rebel, 
In every hour of pain and loss, 

The willing soul shall cry, 'Tis well. 

Compel me, Lord, to bear Thy cross ! 

Not hermit-like removed from ken, 
With fast, and scourge, and bed and moss, 

But in the scornful eyes of men. 

Compel me, Lord, to bear Thy cross, 
Remembering Thou wast borne for me ; 

To count the gains of earth as loss, 
And turn from all its smiles to Thee. 

Oh, blest Cyrenian ! humbly bowed 
Beneath the weight of sinless shame ; 

Compelled by that infuriate crowd 
To bear reproach for Jesus' name. 

So would I walk, not bent with care, 
Nor crushed to earth by heavy dross ; 

Be mine, the helpless, hopeful prayer, 
Compel me, Lord, to bear Thy cross. 

Rose Terry. 



84 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 



NOTHING BUT LEAVES. 



NOTHING but leaves ; the Spirit grieves 
Over a wasted life, 
O'er sins committed while conscience slept, 
Promises made but never kept, 
Folly and shame and strife, — 
Nothing but leaves. 

Nothing but leaves ; no ripened sheaves 

Garner'd of life's fair grain ; 
We sow our seed — lo, tares and weeds, 
Words, idle words for earnest deeds ; 

Reaping, we find with pain 
Nothing but leaves. 

Nothing but leaves ; and memory weaves 

No veil to hide the past ; 
And as we trace our weary way, 
Counting each lost and misspent day, 

Sadly we find at last 
Nothing but leaves. 

And shall we meet the Master so, 

Bearing our withered leaves? 
The Saviour looks for perfect fruit ; 
Stand we before Him sad and mute, 

Waiting the word He breathes, 
" Nothing but leaves I" 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 85 

IF WE KNEW. 



JF we knew what forms were fainting 
For the shade that we should fling, 
If we knew what lips were parching 

For the water we should bring, 
We should haste with eager footsteps, 
We would work with willing hands, 
Bearing cups of cooling water, 
Planting rows of shading palms. 

If we knew when friends around us 

Closely press to say good-bye, 
Which among the lips that kiss us 

First should 'neath the daisies lie, 
We would clasp our arms around them, 

Looking on them through our tears, 
Tender words of love eternal, 

We would whisper in their ears. 

If we knew what lives were darkened 

By some thoughtless word of ours, 
Which had ever lain among them 

Like the frost among the flowers ; 
O, with what sincere repentings, 

With what anguish of regret, 
While our eyes were overflowing, 

Would we cry — forgive — forget. 

If we knew, alas ! and do we 

Ever care or seek to know, 
Whether bitter herbs or roses 

In our neighbor's gardens grow ? 



86 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 






God forgive us, lest hereafter, 

Our hearts break to hear him say, 

u Careless child, I never knew you, 
From my presence flee away." 



WHAT IS MY WORK TO-DAY? 



TO search for truth and wisdom, 
To live for Christ alone ; 
To run my race unburdened, 

The goal my Saviour's throne; 
To view by faith the promise, 
While earthly hopes decay ; 
To serve the Lord with gladness — 
This is my work to day. 

To shun the world's allurements, 

To bear my cross therein, 
To turn from all temptation, 

To conquer every sin ; 
To linger, calm and patient, 

Where duty bids me stay, 
To go where God may lead me — 

This is my work to-day. 

To keep my troth unshaken, 

Though others may deceive; 
To give with willing pleasure, 

Or still with joy receive ; 
To bring the mourner comfort, 

To wipe sad tears away ; 
To help the timid doubter — 

This is my work to-day. 






SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 87 

To bear another's weakness, 

To soothe another's pain ; 
To cheer the heart repentant, 

And to forgive again ; 
To commune with the thoughtful, 

To guide the young and gay ; 
To profit all in season — 

This is my work to-day. 

I think not of to-morrow, 

Its trial or its task ; 
But still, with child-like spirit, 

For present mercies ask. 
With each returning morning, 

I cast old things away ; 
Life's journey lies before me 

My prayer is for to-day. 



THERE IS NO DEATH. 



THERE is no death ! The stars go down 
To rise upon some fairer shore ; 
And bright, in Heaven's jeweled crown, 
They shine for evermore. 

There is no death ! The dust we tread 
Shall change beneath the summer showers 

To golden grain or mellow fruit, 
Or rainbow-tinted flowers. 



88 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

The granite rocks disorganize, 

And feed the hungry moss they bear ; 

The forest leaves drink daily life, 
From out the viewless air. 

There is no death ! The leaves may fall ; 

And flowers may fade and pass away ; 
They only wait through wintry hours, 

The coming of May-day. 

There is no death ! An angel form 
Walks o'er the earth with silent tread; 

And bears our best loved things away, 
And then we call them " dead." 

He leaves our hearts all desolate, 

He plucks our fairest, sweetest flowers : 

Transplanted into bliss, they now 
Adorn immortal bowers. 

The bird-like voice, whose joyous tones 
Made glad these scenes of sin and strife, 

Sings now an everlasting song, 
Around the tree of life. 

Wherever he sees a smile too bright, 
Or heart too pure for taint and vice, 

He bears it to that world of light, 
To dwell in paradise. 

Born unto that undying life, 

They leave us but to come again ; 

With joy we welcome them t\e same, 
Except their sin and pain. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 89 

And ever near us, though unseen, 

The dear immortal spirits tread ; 
For all the boundless universe 

Is life — there is no dead ! 

Sir E. Bulwer Lytton. 



SEA VENTUKES. 



I STOOD and watched my ships go out, 
Each one by one, unmooring free, ' 
"What time the quiet harbor fill'd 
With flood tide from the sea. 

The first that sailed, her name was Joy, 
She spread a smooth, white, ample sail ; 

And Eastward drove, with bending spars 
Before the singing gale. 

Another sailed, her name was Hope, 
No cargo in her hold she bore ; 

Thinking to find in Western lands 
Of merchandise a store. 

The next that sailed, her name was Love, 
She showed a red flag at the mast — 

A flag as red as blood she showed, 
And she sped South right fast. 

The last that sailed, her name was Faith, 
Slowly she took her passage forth, 

Tacked and lay to ; at last she steered 
A straight course for the North. 



90 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

My gallant ships they sailed away 
Over the shimmering summer sea, 

I stood at watch for many a day — 
But one came back to me. 

For Joy was caught by pirate Pain — 
Hope ran upon a hidden reef — 

And Love took fire, and foundered fast 
In whelming seas of Grief 

Faith came at last, storm-beat and torn, 
She recompensed me all my loss ; 

For, as a cargo safe, she brought 
A Crown linked to a Cross. 



SOMETIME— SOMEWHERE. 



UNANSWERED yet! the prayers your lips have 
pleaded 
In agony of heart — these many years ? 
Does faith begin to fail ? Is hope departing ? 

And think you, all in vain, those falling tears ? 
Say not, the Father hath not heard your prayer ; 
You shall have your desire — sometime — somewhere. 

Unanswered yet ! though when you first presented 
This one petition at the Fathers throne, 

It seemed you could not wait the time of asking, 
So urgent was your heart to make it known ; 

Though years have passed since then — do not despair ; 

The Lord will answer you — sometime — somewhere. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 91 

Unanswered yet ! Nay, do not say ungranted — 
Perhaps your svork is not yet wholly done. 

The work began when your fiist prayer was uttered, 
And God will finish what He has begun. 

If you will keep the incense burning there, 

His glory you shall see — sometime — somewhere. 

Unanswered yet ! Faith cannot be unanswered ; 

Her feet are firmly planted on the rock; 
Amid the wildest storms she stands undaunted, 

Nor quails before the loudest thunder- shock. 
She knows Omnipotence has heard the prayer, 
And cries — " it shall be done " — sometime — somewhere. 

Robert Browning. 



FATHER, TAKE MY HAND. 



THE way is dark, my Father! Cloud on cloud 
Is gathering quickly o'er my head, and loud 
The thunders roar above me. See, I stand 
Like one bewildered ! Father, take my hand, 
And through the gloom 
Lead safely home 
Thy child ! 

The day goes fast, my Father ! And the night 
Is drawing darkly down. My faithless sight 
Sees ghostly visions. Fears, a spectral band, 
Encompass me. O Father, take my hand, 

And from the night 

Lead up to light 
Thy child! 



92 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

The way is long, my Father ! And my soul 
Longs for the rest and quiet of the goal ; 
While yet I journey through this weary land 
Keep me from wandering, Father, take my hand 

Quickly and straight 

Lead to Heaven's gate 
Thv child ! 

The path is rough, my Father ! Many a thorn 
Has pierced me ;* and my weary feet all torn 
And bleeding mark the way. Yet Thy command 
Bids me press forward. Father, take my hand, 

Then safe and blest 

Lead up to rest 
Thy child ! 



THOUGHTS OF HOME. 



I'VE been thinking of home, of "my Father's house, 
Where the many mansions be," 
Of the city whose streets are paved with gold — 
Of its jasper walls so fair to behold, 
Which the righteous alone shall see. 

I've been thinking of home, where they need not the 
light 

Of the sun, nor moon, nor star; 
Where the gates of pearl are not shut by day — 
For no night is there — but the weary may 

Find rest from the world afar. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 93 

IVe been thinking of home, of the river of life ; 

That flows through the city so pure; 
Of the Tree that stands by the side of the stream, 
Whose leaves in mercy with blessings beam, 

The sin-wounded world to cure. 

IVe been thinking of home, of the loved ones there, 

Dear friends who have gone before ; 
With whom we walked to the death -river side ; 
And sadly thought, as we watched the tide, 

Of the happy days of yore. 

IVe been thinking of home, yea, " home, sweet home ;" 

O, there may we all unite 
With the white-robed throng, and forever raise 
To the triune God sweetest songs of praise, 

With glory, and honor, and might ! 



THE TRIUMPH OF TRUTH. 



THUS while on earth iniquities abound, 
By earnest seekers God may still be found. 
The eternal verities of God are hers, 
And these she offers to her worshipers ; 
Pureness in heart, in action righteousness, 
With pity for our fellows in distress, 
The bright, chivalrous virtues, steadfast faith, 
Honor unstained, courage that conquers death, 
Just judgment o'er ourselves, warm human love, 
And crowning all, a trust in God above ; 
Though now the commonplace of daily life, 
These have been gained from centuries of strife, 



94 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

And long resisted, have been won at last, 
Through suffering in all ages of the past. 
Great Truth herself for us all these has gained, 
For us the long laborious strife sustained, 
Bearing these gifts of God through myriad years, 
She comes to us, in sweat, and blood, and tears. 
Obscure, by taunts and mockiugs harshly schooled, 
Despised, denounced, rejected, ridiculed, 
Suffering the stroke of power, the scorn of pride, 
Reviled, tormented, scourged, and crucified ; 
Until at last, the awful pathway o'er, 
She rises up to the right hand of power, 
And over all who bless, and all who curse, 
Reigns the throned monarch of the universe — 
And she shall reign, till, all her work complete, 
All earthly things be put beneath her feet. 

James De Mille. 



THE CORN AND THE LILIES. 



SAID the Corn to the Lilies : 
" Press not near my feet. 
You are only idlers, 

Neither Corn nor Wheat. 
Does one earn a living 
Just by being sweet ?" 

Naught answered the Lilies, 

Neither yea nor nay, 
Only they grew sweeter 

All the livelong day. 
And at last the Teacher 

Chanced to come that way. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 95 

While His tired disciples 

Rested at His feet, 
And the proud Corn rustled, 
Bidding them to eat, 
u Children " said the Teacher, 
" The life is more than meat. 

" Consider the Lilies, 

How beautiful they grow ! 
Never king had such glory, 

Yet no toil they know." 
O, happy were the Lilies 
That He loved them so ! 



CLEANSING FIRES. 



LET thy gold be cast into the furnace, 
Thy red gold, precious and bright; 
Do not fear for the hungry fire, 

With its caverns of burning light. 
And thy gold shall return more precious, 

Free from every spot and stain ; 
For gold must be tried by fire, 
As a heart must be tried by pain ! 

In the cruel fire of sorrow 

Cast thy heart, do not faint or wail ; 
Let thy hand be firm and steady, 

Do not let thy spirit quail. 
But wait till the trial is over, 

And take thy heart again ; 
For, as gold is tried by fire, 

So a heart must be tried by pain ! 



96 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

I shall know by the gleam and the glitter 

Of the golden chain you wear, 
By your heart's calm strength in loving, 

Of the fire you have had to bear. 
Beat on, true heart, forever ; 

Shine bright, strong, golden chain ; 
And bless the cleansing fire, 

And the furnace of living pain ! 

Adelaide Pkoctor. 



WHAT I LIVE FOR. 



I LIVE for those who love me, 
For those I know are true ; 
For the heaven that smiles above me, 

And awaits my spirit too ; 
For all human ties that bind me, 
For the task my God assigned me, 
For the bright hopes left behind me, 
And the good that I can do. 

I live to learu their story, 
Who suffered for my sake; 

To emulate their glory 

And follow in their wake ; 

Bards, martyrs, patriots, sages, 

The nobles of all ages, 

Whose deeds crown history's pages, 
And Time's great volume make. 

I live to hail the season ; 

By gifted minds foretold ; 
When men shall live by reason, 

And not alone for gold. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 1)7 

When man to man united, 
And even- wrong thing righted, 
The whole world .shall be lighted 
As Eden was of old. 

I live to hold communion 

With all that is divine, 
To feel that there is union 

'Twixt Nature's heart and mine; 
To profit by affliction, 
Reap truth from fields of fiction, 
Grow wiser from conviction, 

Fulfilling God's design. 

I live for those that love me, 

For those that know me true, 
For the heaven that smiles above me 

And awaits my spirit, too ; 
For the wrongs that need resistance, 
For the cause that needs assistance, 
For the future in the distance, 

And the good that I can do. 



THE REAPER AND THE FLOWERS. 

THERE is a Reaper, whose name is Death, 
And, with his sickle keen, 
He reaps the bearded grain at a breath, 
And the flowers that grow between. 

" Shall T have nought that is fait?" saith he; 
" Have nought but the bearded grain? 
Though the breath of these flowers is sweet to me, 
I will give them all back again." 
7 



98 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

He gazed at the flowers with tearful eyes, 
He kissed their drooping leaves; 

It was for the Lord of Paradise 
He bound them in his sheaves. 

"My Lord has need of these flowerets gay," 

The Reaper said, and smiled ; 
" Dear tokens of the earth are they, 

Where He was once a child. 

ct They shall all bloom in fields of light, 
Transplanted by my care, 
And saints, upon their garments white, 
These sacred blossoms wear." 

And the mother gave, in tears and pain, 
The flowers she most did love ; 

She knew she should find them all again 
In the fields of light above. 

O, no L . in cruelty, not in wrath. 

The Reaper came that day ; 
'Twas an angel visited the green earth, 

And took the flowers away. 

Longfellow, 



THE USES OF LIFE. 



THOUGH we climb fame's proudest height, 
Though we sit on hills afar, 
Where the thrones of triumph are ; 
Though all deepest mysteries be open to our sight, 
If we win not by that power 
For the world another dower — 
If this great Humanity nharenot in our gain, 
We have lived our life in vain. 






SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 99 

Though we revel in sweet dreams ; 

Though with poet's eye we look 

Full on Nature's open book, 
And our spirits wander, singing with the birds and the 
streams ; 

If we let no music in 

To the world of grief and sin — 
If we draw no spirit heavenward by the strain, 

We have lived our life in vain. 

Though our lot be calm and bright ; 

Though upon our brows we wear 

Youth, and grace, and beauty rare, 
And the hours go swiftly, singing in their flight ; 

If we let no glory down 

Any darkened life to crown — 
If our grace and joyance have no ministry for pain, 

We have lived our life in vain. 

Though for weary years we toil ; 

Though we gather all the gold 

From the mines of wealth untold, 
Though from farthest shores of ocean we have brought 
the spoil ; 

What at the last is won 

If we hear not God's " Well done "? 
If the world's want and sorrow be not lessened by our 
gain , 

We have lived our life in vain. 

Though we be, in heart and hand, 

Mighty with all foes to cope, 

Rich in courage and in hope, 
Fitted as strong laborers in the world to stand — 



100 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

If with these we right no wrong 
What avails it to be strong ? 
It we strengthen not the weak, raise not the bowed 
again, 
We have lived our life in vain. 

To the giver shall be given — 

If thou wouldst walk in light 

Make other spirits bright ; 
Who, seeking for himself alone, ever entered heaven ? 

In blessing we are blest : 

In labor find our rest. 
If we bend not to the world's work, heart, and hand, 
and brain, 

We have lived our life in vain. 

Selfishness is utter loss ; 

Life's most perfect joy and good — 

Ah ! how few have understood ! — 
Only One hath proved it fully, and He died upon the 
cross, 

Taking on Himself the curse 

So to bless a universe. 
If we follow not His footsteps through the pathway 
straight and plain, 

We have lived our life in vain. 



MY MOTHER. 



SHE stands upon the border land, 
Where heaven and earth unite ; 
Her soul projects itself beyond 
The avenues of sight. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 101 

And dwelling in the realms that ne'er 

Are reached by mortal ken, 
She seems already crowned a saint 

At three-score years and ten. 



Her motherhood is written o'er 

Her face in fairest lines ; 
Her tender heart asserts itself 

By most familiar signs. 
By patient steps, through thorny ways, 

Through sorrow and through strife, 
She reached the Pisgah -height of time, 

The boundary of life. 

Far down the valley of the past, 

She sees where fond hopes bloomed, 
And marks the many monuments 

Wherein they lie entombed. 
But o'er the graves the grass has grown, 

And Love its balm has given, 
Since every step the wanderer took. 

But led her nearer Heaven. 

Her children fill life's vacancies ; 

She lives for them alone ; 
She has no selfish thoughts or aims, 

No sorrows of her own. 
O golden chain, that binds so close 

These hum in hearts, when riven, 
The shortened links but draw us up 

To happiness and Heaven ! 



102 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Three-score and ten ! O failing feet 

That spurn the dust of time, 
How bright the radiance that illumes 

The pathway that ye climb ! 
How dark the shadow that invades 

The quiet home and hearth, 
When through the gateway ye have passed, 

And are no more of earth ! 

Dear mother, when I think of thee 

And thy declining years, 
I have no songs to offer thee, 

No tribute but my tears. 
But though my harp to minor strains 

Of melody is strung, 
This heart of mine knows nought of time, 

There thou art always young. 

Josephine Pollard. 

NO, not despairingly 
Come I to Thee ; 
No, not distrustingly 

Bend I the knee. 
Sin hath gone over me, 
Yet is this still my plea, 
Jesus hath died. 

Ah ! mine iniquity 

Crimson has been 
Infinite, infinite 

Sin upon sin : 



UNTO THEE. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS, 103 

Sin of not loving Thee, 
Sin of not trusting Thee, 
Infinite^sin. 

Lord, I confess to Thee 

Sadly my sin ; 
All I am tell I Thee, 

All I have been. 
Purge Thou my sin away, 
Wash Thou my soul this day, 

Lord, make me clean. 

Faithful and just art Thou, 

Forgiving all ; 
Loving and kind art Thou 

When poor ones call ; 
Lord, let the cleansing blood, 
Blood of the Lamb of God, 

Pass o'er my soul. 

Then all is peace and light 

This soul within ; 
Thus shall I walk with Thee, 

The loved unseen. 
Leaning on Thee, my God, 
Guiding along the road, 

Nothing between. 

Bonar. 



104 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 



THE BEGGAR AND THE KING. 



ONE summer afternoon, within his palace, 
The king sits nodding on his throne of state ; 
And, drinking of the same care-freeing chalice, 

All round about him drowsy courtiers wait. 
Without the palace-gate, the sun's rays pouring 

Full down upon his unprotected head, 
A beggar lies, whom, spite of his imploring, 

The liveried slaves have driven from his shed ; 
And gentle sleep, with silent, soothing fingers, 

Wraps king and beggar in its sofc repose ; 
And as its presence in the palace lingers, 

The eyes of courtiers, too, in slumber close. 
All slept, and o'er the minds of each came stealing 

The dim and airy fabric of a dream ; 
And all the chambers of the mental feeling, 

Straightway with many floating fancies teem. 

The king lived o'er again his days of glory ; 

Once more he heard his subjects' loud acclaim ; 
Again he trod the field of battle gory, 

And purchased, by ten thousand deaths, his name; 
He heard again the trumpet's clangor calling; 

He heard the shouts of foeman and of friend ; 
And, louder than the death-groans of the falling, 

He heard the war-cries' ringing thunders blend; 
He dreamed of plundered towns and pillaged cities, 

Of slaughtered innocence, whose blood he'd spilt; 
He heard his minstrels sing their fulsome ditties, 

Tn praise of him whose soul was steeped in guilt; 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS, 105 

He felt anew the cares which round him hovered 

When his high pinnacle of fame was won ; 
He felt the conscience-pangs he oft had smothered 

When some most foul and cruel act was done ; 
He dreamed of plots which 'gainst him were directed 

By patriot souls, who sought their land to free ; 
He gave to death those daring few detected, 

The block for prize, and heaven for liberty ; 
He saw again his royal offspring falling, 

Struck by the vengeance of the mighty hand ; 
He heard his subjects' bitter whispers, calling 

For freedom fur their poor, down -trodden land. 

But ah ! without the gate, the beggar, sleeping, 

Saw visions seldom seen by mortal eye ; 
For o'er his tired soul came glimpses creeping 

Of glories which shall never fade or die. 
He heard the heavenly choirs their anthems raising 

In tuneful cadences and strains sublime ; 
He heard the voice of countless millions praising, 

Whose song shall echo to the end of time ; 
Beside the stream of life he walked, surrounded 

By angels, in pure robes and crowns of gold ; 
And all the starry courts the while resounded 

With melody from golden harps untold. 
Forgotten all his pain, his care, his anguish 

His dreary pilgrimage forgotten now ; 
No longer did his soul in sorrow languish, 

Nor sweat of agony roll down his brow ; 
He walked no more the earth, with tears and sighing, 

But trod the courts above, in light arrayed ; 
And answered now was all his piteous crying : 

He heard the voice of Love — " Be not afraid !" 



106 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

So passed the afternoon — the sun descended 

'Mid golden clouds and purple, hazy smoke, 
That with the far-off, faint-lined hills was blended, 

And courtiers, beggar, and the king awoke. 
One woke to toil and care — his dream had taught him 

Sleep was no blessing, though it closed his eyes ; 
The beggar awoke — his golden dream had brought him 

Blessings and rest — he awoke in Paradise ! 

J. C. Goodwin. 



A TRUE HEART. 



THERE is something pathetic in the life of every 
man confined within prison walls, and this pathos 
grows more intense when all the free outside world is 
glad with the joy that comes in the Christmas time. 

Remorse must weigh heavily on convicts at this time, 
Forgetfulness of all the past would be a blessed boon to 
many of them, but memory is keenest then, and we do 
not know with what heartaches they recall the time 
when they too were free and happy. 

The warden of a State prison tells the following 
pathetic incident of a life convict : 

" I was passing out of the prison-yard one bitterly 
cold Christmas morning. 

" Just outside the gate, and crouching close to the 
high stone wall, I saw a thinly-clad little girl of about 
twelve years, her face and hands blue with cold. She 
put out one of her thin hands to detain me as I passed. 

" i If you please, sir/ she said, and stopped, fingering 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 107 

nervously at the fringe of her old shawl and glancing 
timidly down. 

"' What is it?' I asked. 

" ' Well, if you please, sir, I'd like to know if I can 
go inside, and see my — my father ? He's in there, and 
I've brung him something for Christmas. It aint 
much, and I didn't s'pose you'd mind any if he had it. 
His name is Mister John H y.' 

" I recognized the name as that of a life convict, a 
man notoriously bad. I went back into the prison- 
grounds, the child following me eagerly. 

" Going to my office, I sent for the convict. He came, 
sullen and dejected ; in his face was the look of utter 
hopelessness the faces of prisoners for life so often wear. 

" The child sprang forward to meet him, the hot tears 
streaming over her white face. 

" He stepped back, sullen and seemingly angry. No 
word of welcome came from his lips for the ragged, 
trembling little creature who stood crying before him 
with something clasped close in her hand. 

" ' I — I — came to — say " Merry Christmas/' father/ 
she faltered. ' I — I — thought maybe you'd be glad to 
see me. Aint you any glad, father V 

"Christmas ! Christ! What would that man not have 
given for freedom of body and soul ! 

" The convict's head drooped. The hard look was 
going out of his face, his eyes were moistening. His 
little girl went on, tremblingly and tearfully — 

" ' And I — I — brung you something, father. It was 
all I could think of, and all I could get. I live to the 
poor-house now.' 

" Her trembling fingers began unwrapping the bit of 



108 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

soft white paper in her hand, and she held out a short, 
shining carl of yellow hair carefully tied with a bit of 
old ribbon. 

" ' I wouldn't give this to anybody on earth but you, 
father. You used to really aud truly love little 
Johnnie; mother said you did ; and so ' — 

" The man fell to his knee3 with both hands clasped 
over his face. 

" ' I did Jove him,' he said, hoarsely. ' I love him 
still; bad as I am, I love him still.' 

" ' I knew it/ said the child, going closer, ' and I 
knowed you'd like this, now that Johnnie's dead.' 

" ' Dead !' cried the man, rocking to and fro, still 
on his knees with his hands over his face. ' My little 
boy !' 

" ' Yes,' said the child, ' he died in the poor-house 
only last week, and there's no one left but me, now ; but 
I aint goin' to forgit you, father. I'm going to stick 
right by you, spite of what folks say, and some day 
maybe I can get you out of here ; I'm going to try. I 
don't never forgit that you are my father, and so ' — 

" He put out one arm, drew the child toward him 
and kissed her again and again. I silently left the 
room, and they were alone together for half an hour. 
Then the child came out, smiling through her tears. 

" ' Mind,' she said, before closing the door, ' I'll never 
forgit you, father, never.' " 

It was the voice of a true heart. May Christ give it 
the benediction of His peace ! 

The Youth's Companion. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 109 

ALONE WITH GOD. 



ALONE with Thee, my God! alone with Thee! 
Thus wouldst Thou have it still — thus let it be, 
There is a secret chamber in each mind, 

Which none can find 
But Him who made it — none beside can know 

Its joy or woe. 
Oft may I enter it oppressed with care, 

And find Thee there ; 
So full of watchful love, Thou know'st the why 

Of every sigh. 
Then all Thy righteous dealing shall I see, 
Alone with Thee, my God ! alone with Thee ! 

The joys of earth are like a summer's day, 

Fading away ; 
But in the twilight we may better trace 

Thy wondrous grace. 
The homes of earth are emptied oft by death 

With chilling breath ; 
The loved departed guest may ope no more 

The well-known door ; 
Still in that chamber sealed, Thou'lt dwell with me, 
And I with Thee, my God ! alone with Thee ! 

The world's false voice would bid me enter not 

That hallowed spot ; 
And earthlv thoughts would follow on the track 

To hold me back ; 
Or seek to break the secret peace within 

With this world's din. 



110 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

But, by Thy grace, I'll cast them all aside, 

Whate'er betide, 
And never let that cell deserted be, 
Where I may dwell alone, my God, with Thee ! 

The war may rage ! — keep thou the citadel, 

And all is well. 
And when I learn the fullness of Thy love, 

With Thee above — 
When every heart oppressed with hidden grief 

Shall gain relief — 
When every weary soul shall find its rest 

Amidst the blest — 
Then all my heart from sin and sorrow free, 
Shall be a temple meet, my God, for Thee ! 



IT IS MORE BLESSED. 



GIVE ! as the morning that flows out of heaven, 
Give ! as the waves when their channel is riven ; 
Give ! as the free air and sunshine are given ; 

Lavishly, utterly, joyfully give. 
Not the waste drops of thy cup overflowing, 
Not the faint sparks of thy heart ever glowing, 
Not a pale bud from the June roses blowing ; 

Give, as He gave Thee, who gave thee to live. 

Pcur out thy love, like the rush of a river 
Wasting its waters, for ever and ever, 
Through the burnt sands that reward not the giver ; 
Silent or songful, thou nearest the sea. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. Ill 

Scatter thy life as the summer showers pouring ! 
What if no bird through the pearl-rain is soaring ? 
What if no blossom looks upward adoring? 

Look to the Life that was lavished for thee! 

So the wild wind strews its perfumed caresses, 
Evil and thankless the desert it blesses, 
Bitter the wave that its soft pinion presses, 

Never it ceaseth to whisper and sing. 
What if the hard heart gives thee thorns for thy roses ? 
What if on hard rocks thy tired bosom reposes ? 
Sweetest is music with minor-keyed closes, 

Fairest the vines that on ruin will cling. 

Almost the day of thy giving is over; 

Ere from the grass di^s the bee-haunted clover, 

Thou wilt have vanished from friend and from lover; 

What shall thy longing avail in the grave? 
Give, as the heart gives, whose fetters are breaking, 
Life, love, and hope, all thy dreams and thy waking, 
Soon heaven's river thy soul fever slaking, 

Thou shalt know God, and the gift that He gave. 



LET IT PASS. 



BE not swift to take offense ; 
Let it pass ! 
Anger is a foe to sense ; 

Let it pass ! 
Brood not darkly o'er a wrong 
Which will disappear ere long ; 



112 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Rather sing this cheery song, 

Let it pass ! 
Let it pass ! 

Strife corrodes the purest mind ; 

Let it pass ! 
As the unregarded wind, 

Let it pass ! 
Any vulgar souls that live 
May condemn without reprieve ; 
'Tis the noble who forgive; 

Let it pass ! 

Let it pass ! 

Echo not an angry word ; 

Let it pass ! 
Think how often you have erred ; 

Let it pass ! 
Since our joys must pass away 
Like the dewdrops on the way, 
Wherefore should our sorrows stay ? 

Let them pass ! 
Let them pass 

If for good you've taken ill, 

Let it pass ! 
O ! be kind and gentle still ; 

Let it pass ! 
Time at last makes all things straight ; 
Let us not resent, but wait, 
And our triumph shall be great ; 

Let it pass ! 

Let it pass ! 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 113 

Bid your anger to depart ; 

Let it pass ! 
Lay these homely words to heart, 

Let it pass ! 
Follow not the giddy throng ; 
Better to be wronged than wrong ; 
Therefore sing this cheery song, 

Let it pass ! 

Let it pass ! 



ALWAYS LEARNING. 



WASTE not your precious hours in play, 
Nought can recall life's morning ; 
The seed now sown will cheer your way — 
The wise are always learning. 

Nor think when all school days are o'er, 

You've bid adieu to learning ; 
Life's deepest lessons are in store — 

The meek are always learning. 

When strong in hope, you first launch forth, 

A name intent on earning, 
Scorn not the voice of age or worth — 

The great are always learning. 

When right and wrong within you strive, 
And passions fierce contending, 

Oh, then you'll know, how, while you live, 
The good are always learning, 
8 



114 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 



THE BEST THAT I CAN. 



" T CANNOT do much," said a little star, 
-1- " To make the dark world bright ! 
My silvery beams cannot struggle far 

Through the folding gloom of night, 
But I'm only a part of God's great plan, 
And I'll cheerfully do the best I can." 

" What is the use," said a fleecy cloud, 
" Of these few drops that I hold ? 
They will hardly bend the lily proud, 
Though caught in her cup of gold ; 
Yet I am a part of God's great plan, 
To my treasure I'll give as well as I can." 

A child went merrily forth to play, 
But a thought, like a silver thread, 

Kept winding in and out all day, 
Through the happy, golden head: 

Mother .-aid, " Darling, do all you can, 

For you are a part of God's great plan." 

She knew no more than the glancing star, 
Nor the cloud with its chalice full, 

How, why, and what for, all strange things were- 
She was only a child at school ! 

But she thought, " It is part of God's great plan 

That even I should do all I can." 

She helped a younger child along 

When the road w r as rough to the feet, 
And she sang from her heart a little song 



SUNDAY SCPIOOL SELECTIONS. 115 

That we all thought passing sweet; 
And her father, a weary, toil-worn man, 
Said, " I will do likewise, the best that I can." 

Oar best ? Ah, children ! the best of us 

Must hide our faces away, 
When the Lord of the vineyard comes to look 

At our task at the close of day ; 
But for strength from above — 'tis. the Master's plan — 
Well pray, and we'll do the best we can. 



THE NEW YEAR'S GIFTS 



A FRIEND stands at the door ; 
In either tight-closed hand 
Hiding rich gifts, three hundred aud three-score ; 
Waiting to strew them daily o'er the land, 
Even as seed the sower. 
Each drop, he treads it in and passes by ; 
It cannot be made fruitful till it die. 

O, good New Year, we clasp 

This warm, shut hand of thine ! 
Losing forever, with half sigh, half ga?p, 

That which from ours falls like dead fingers' twine; 
Aye, whether fierce its grasp 
Has been, or gentle, having been, we know 
That it was blessed : let the Old Year go, 

; New Year, teach us faith ! 
The road of life is hard ; 



116 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

When our feet bleed, and scourging winds us scathe, 
Point thou to Him whose visage was more marred 
Than any man's : who saith, 

"Make straight paths for your feet " — and to the op- 
pressed — 

" Come ye to me, and I will give you rest." 

Yet hang some lamp-like hope 

Above this unknown way, 
Kind Year, to give our spirits freer scope, 

And .our hands strength to work while it is day. 
But if that way must slope 
Tombward, O bring before our fading eyes 
The lamp of life, the Hope that never dies ! 

Comfort our souls with love — 

Love of all human kind ; 
Love special, close — in which, like sheltered dove, 

Each weary heart its own safe nest may find ; 
And love that turns above 
Adoringly; contented to resign 
All loves, if need be, for the Love Divine. 

Friend, come thou like a friend, 
And whether bright thy face, 
Or dim with clouds we cannot comprehend, 

We'll hold our patient hands, each in his place, 
And trust thee to the end : 
Knowing thou leadest onward to those spheres 
Where there are neither days, nor months, nor years. 

Dinah Muloch. C K A i-K , 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 117 



THE SPIKIT'S CALL 



COME home! 
Why wilt thou linger in the scenes of earth, 
And spend thy weary days amid their gloom ? 
Why cheat thy spirit of its heavenly birth, 
Or fear the darkness of the silent tomb 9 
Loved one, come home. 

Come home ! 
The world has nothing now that's worth thy stay, 

The soul that calmed thy troubles now has flown, 
The loved one's voice, that lingered but a day, 
Hath ceased to charm, and is forever gone ; 
Loved one, come home. 

Come home ! 
Still will I call thee, and would love thee yet, 

As I have loved thee in the days of yore ; 
No memories here can give the heart regret, 
Nothing but peace can dwell upon this shore; 
Loved one, come home ! 

Come home ! 
Remember all the days of youthful joy, 

The happy, holy hours that we have known, 
The scenes of blessedness without alloy, 
Now they have vanished — thou art left alone ; 
Loved one, come home. 



118 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 



DICKY'S CHRISTMAS. 



I LIKE Dicky. He has a nice round freckled face, 
and he looks good. I got 'quainted with him down 
at the back fence. I guess my folks didn't know much 
about that fence, only that yards from two streets ran back 
to it ; but they were big, pretty houses on one street, aud 
little old crowded ones on the other. Dicky and I 
found a hole in the fence, and we played store through 
it, and catVcradle, and told stories. That's how I came 
to tell him about Christmas. 

" It's at my Grandpa's house," I told him, " and we 
all go there — uncles, aunts, and cousins — and have the 
best kind of a time. And such dinners ! Pies and 
cakes — oh ! ever so mauy kinds ! — and nuts and oranges." 

" We don't ever have any such Christmas at our 
house," said Dicky. " We don't ever have any kind. 
Wish I could see one." 

Wouldn't you feel sorry for a little boy that didn't 
ever even see a real Christmas ? He never tasted any 
turkey, and he didn't know what mince pie was like ! I 
wished I could ask him to go to Grandpa's, but I guessed 
the big folks wouldn't like it. So I thought and thought, 
aud when he kept wishing he " could just see one, once," 
I said : 

" Maybe I could fix it so you could just see — if you 
could only slip in somewhere." 

" 'Fore the folks come?" asked Dicky. 

Then I thought it all out real quick, for my mamma 
had told me she was going to the church Christmas 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 119 

morning, and I could go over to Grandpa's when I was 
dressed to stay there ; and 1 knew all Grandpa's folks 
— 1 mean everybody but Betty and Hannah — would 
go to church too, so I told Dicky : 

" If you will go over with me, you can hide some- 
where, and nobody will see." 

Dicky's face all lighted up 'most like the moon, and 
he said : 

" All right ! I won't tell anybody." 

If my mamma hadn't been too busy to notice, I guess 
she'd have thought she had a queer little girl Christmas 
morning, cause I couldn't help running to the window, 
and asking what time it was, and wishing the folks would 
start to church. Then it seemed as if Kitty never would 
get me all dressed to suit her. But at last she did, and 
then I ran down to the back fence and called softly to 
Dicky to run 'round the block and meet me at the 
corner. 

" I 'most thought you'd forgot," Dicky said; and 
then he looked at my handsome new cloak and I looked 
at his patched jacket, and we didn't care a speck ! I 
don't see what folks care so much for such things 
for. 

Taking Dicky into Grandpa's house was easy enough, 
but finding a hiding-place, where he could see, wasn't so 
easy. We slipped into the dining-room, and he kept 
saying, " My! aint it nice?" when, he saw the long tables 
and everything. I heard Betty and Hannah moving 
around in the kitchen, and I was afraid every minute 
they'd come in, and I couldn't find any place to hide 
him. There was just the china-closet, and I knew they'd 
go there ever so many times. 



120 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

" Oh ! what a funny big clock !" said Dicky. 

He was so pleased with everything that he 'most for- 
got about hiding. 

" I wonder if you could get into that ?" said I. " I 
do brieve it's the very place, Dicky, 'cause nobody'll go 
to the clock ! See ! you can stand in it if you crowd 
pretty close, and we'll leave the door a tiny bit open, so 
you won't all smother. And if you can't see enough 
there, you can stand on your high tiptoes and look out 
through the glass." 

I had hardly got him tucked in, when Betty looked 
in at the door, and said : 

"You here, little Lizzie? Well, amuse yourself any 
way you like ; and if you are lonesome, come out and 
stay with Hannah and me." 

Dicky thought it was only fun to be crowded in such 
a queer little house while I could stay by him and open 
the door, and tell him all the things he wanted to know 
about. But by and by I heard the folks coming, and 
then I had to whisper to him to keep still, and I'd save 
him some turkey, and not to move. 

Such a nice party that was! So many uncles and 
aunts and cousins, and everybody so glad to see every- 
body ! And then came the dinner — Dicky could hear all 
about that — and it seemed as if we should never come 
to the end of talking, laughing, and eating. But right 
in the middle of it something queer happened. 

" Whir-r-r-r !" went the old clock, and then it began 
to strike as if it had gone crazy. 

" What in the world is the matter with the clock !" 
said Grandpa. And all the others jumped up. a What 
has got into the clock ?" 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 121 

But something tumbled out of it just then, and that 
was Dicky. He was frightened and 'most crying. 

" I didn't mean to hurt nothin'. I just climbed up a 
little to look out, and the old thing went off like fire- 
crackers, it did !" t 

" What in the world — " began Grandpa again, but 
there he stopped, for I put my arms right round Dicky's 
neck, and was 'most crying too. 

" No, he aint a burglar, Grandpa," I said. " He's 
just one of ' the least' that the Bible tells about; I'm 
'most sure he is, and that's why I hid him there, 'cause 
he hadn't ever seen any Christmas. I was going to save 
him some of my turkey and cake, and it wouldn't have 
done a bit of harm, if that old clock hadn't made such 
a fuss. Please don't scold." 

" No," said Grandpa, wiping his spectacles. " No- 
body in this house shall scold because one little girl has 
tried to do what older ones should have been first to 
think of. Think of it, children — ' Unto one of the least 
of these, unto me !'" 

And so Dicky had a seat at the table, and the first 
Christmas dinner of his life. 



GOD BLESS YOU. 



HOW simply fall the simple words 
Upon the humble heart 
When friends long bound by stronger ties 
Are doomed by fate to part ! 



122 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

You sadly press the hand of those 
Who thus in love caress you, 

And soul responsive beats to soul, 
In breathing out, " God bless you !" 

" God bless you !" Oh ! few weeks ago 

I heard the mournful phrase, 
When one whom I from childhood loved 

Went from my weary gaze. 
Now blinding tears fall thick and fast — 

I mourn my life-lost treasure, 
While echoes of the past bring back 

The farewell prayer, " God ble^s you !" 

The mother, sending forth her boy 

To scenes untried and new, 
Lisps not a studied, stately speech, 

Nor murmurs out, "Adieu." 
She, trembling, says, between her sobs, 

" Whene'er misfortunes press you, 
Come to thy mother, boy, come back " — 

Then sadly sighs, " God bless you." 

" God bless you !" more of love expresses 

Than volumes without number; 
Reveal we thus our trust in Him 

Whose eyelids never slumber. 
I ask. in parting, no long speech, 

Drawled out in studied measure ; 
I only ask the dear old words — 

So sweet, so sad — " God bless you !" 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 123 



NOTHING TO DO. 



NOTHING to do !" in this world of ours, 
Where weeds spring up with fairest flowers, 
Where smiles have only a fitful play, 
Where hearts are breaking every day ! 

" Nothing to do !" thou Christian soul, 
Wrapping thee round in thy selfish stole : 
Off with the garments of sloth and sin, 
Christ the Lord hath a kingdom to win. 

" Nothing to do !" There are prayers to lay 
Ou the altar of incense, day by day ; 
There are foes to meet within and without, 
There is error to conquer, strong and stout. 

" Nothing to do !'' There are minds to teach 
The simplest form of Christian speech ; 
There are hearts to lure with loving wile 
From the grimmest haunts of sin's defile. 

" Nothing to do !" There are lambs to feed, 
The precious hope of the Church's need ; 
Strength to be borne to the weak and faint, 
Vigils to keep with the doubting saint. 

" Nothing to do !" and thy Saviour said, 
"Follow thou me in the path I tread." 
Lord, lend Thy help the journey through, 
Lest faint, we cry, " So much to do !" 



124 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 



COLD WATER. 



WATER is beautiful, variantly beautiful! In the 
bubbliug spring, the welling fountain, the mur- 
muring rill, the purling brook, and the rippling lake, it 
is delightfully beautiful; in the plashing pool, the 
meandering rivulet, the running stream, and the flowing 
river, it is gracefully beautiful ; in the dripping dew, the 
trickling tear, the streaming jet, and the spouting geyser, 
it is impressively beautiful; in the swelling flood, the 
rushing tide, the surging sea, the foaming cataract, and 
the roaring ocean, it is grandly beautiful ; among the 
peaks of the Himalayas, amid the Arctic icebergs, and 
in the Alpine glaciers, it is sublimely beautiful; when 
overflowing, inundating, and deluging, causing isola- 
tion, it is awingly beautiful ; and even when simmering/ 
hissing, seething, or boiling, it has a semblance of beauty. 

Ever where it is a thing of beauty, whether glistening 
in the dew-drop, gleaming in the ice-gem, shimmering in 
the gentle rain, flashing in the sunlight, begemming the 
grass, bejeweling the trees, veiling the golden sun, halo- 
ing the silver moon, painting the hues of the rainbow, 
fleecing the wintry world with a mantle of purity, or 
checkering the azure sky with varying clouds by the 
mystic hand of radiation, it is always beautiful, inex- 
pressibly beautiful. Its beauty, purity, brilliance, and 
grandeur should rivet our attention and challenge our 
admiration ! 

But is it merely a thing of beauty ? No ! emphat- 
ically, no ! It is health-giving, life-sustaining, and trade- 
promoting. It is vivifying, refreshing, strengthening, 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECT £0X8, 125 

invigorating, and purifying ; it cools the fevered brow, 
moistens the parched lips, and quenches the burning 
thirst ; with the aid of the north-wind it produces the 
cooling ice, and flakes the mantling snow ; it distils in 
enlivening dew, and descends in refreshing showers ; it 
washes the filth from the surface of the earth and the 
poisonous malaria from the atmosphere ; it imparts 
health, and promotes life ; it is life's Balm of Gilead; it 
is the Abana and Pharpar of creation. 

And, with the aid of the vernal breezes, it paints the 
flowers, bedecks the forest, and covers the earth with its 
carpet of green ; it bedews the flowers, and makes their 
fragrance as sweet as the perfumes of Araby ; it forms 
both the storm-cloud and the river, the sea and the 
ocean ; it turns the mill-wheel, moves the spindle, and 
forms channels for conveying the wares of merchandise ; 
it floats alike the mariner's stately craft aud the Indian's 
light canoe ; it is the great, broad highway of the world's 
traffic. 

That's what it is ; and now, what is it not? It is not 
a beverage that brings the orphan's tear or causes the 
widow's wail; it is not the drink that demons delight to 
quaff; it is not what the murderer imbibes to prepare 
for his deed of crime, or the reveler to besot his midnight 
debauch ; it is not a liquid that dethrones reason and 
produces delirium; no ghosts of murdered innocents 
awake from their slumbers to pronounce its anathema; 
no lone prisoner accuses it of the crime that has brought 
him to the dungeon-cell ; no felon on the scaffold ever 
curses it for his untimely end ; no courts of justice are 
ever kept busy with its crimes ; and no prisons or alms- 
houses are ever filled with its victims 1 



126 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

A glass of water has no bubbles of poison oit its. sur- 
face, no foam in which lurk sadness and sorrow ; no 
heart-broken wives, grief-stricken widows, or starving 
orphans ever shed tears in its limpid depths ; and no 
" drunkard's ghost, shrieking from the grave, ever curses 
it in words of eternal despair." But it is clear, beauti- 
ful, blessed, and glorious ! Let us drink always and only 
the sparkling, pure, crystal water. 

Henry H. Holloway. 



CHRISTMAS CAROL. 



OUT in the midnight's white and starry splendor 
Once more the glad bells ring, 
While softer human voices, sweet and tender, 
The songs of Christmas sing, — 
Christmas is come. 

The whole clear night seems bending low to listen; 

The church lifts up its cross ; 
And solitary, snow capped mountains glisten, 

And blue seas flash and toss,— 
Christmas is come ! 

From sea to sea a mighty voice is pealing, 

On moorland bleak and wide, 
Through frozen fields and dead rose-gardens stealing, 

By wood and water-side, — 
Christmas is come ! 

To lighted hearths whose fires make silver linings 
Behind the day's dark cloud, 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 127 

To halls where Beauty's summer light is shining, 
Where dancers laugh and crowd, 
Christmas is come ! 

O world ! O life ! O hearts in sorrow sighing! 

Remember that to day 
Across the waste of time about you lying 

The Saviour finds His way. 
Christmas is come! 

Oh ! low and sweet the Christmas carols falter, 

Then rise with rich increase, 
And for an hour about one shrine and altar 

All nations stand at peace. 
Christmas is come ! 

" Long love, long peace and reconciliation," 
We sing aloud, and then, 
Their tones grown strong with joy and exultation, 
The great bells chime, Amen ! 
Christmas is come ! 

Millie W. Carpenter. 



SHADOWS. 



THE clouds hang heavy round my way, 
I cannot see ; 
But through the darkness I believe 

God leadeth me ; 
'Tis sweet to keep my hand in His, 
While all is dim ; 



128 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

To close my weary, aching eyes, 
And follow Him. 

Through many a thorny path He leads 

My tired feet ; 
Through many a path of tears I go ; 

But it is sweet 
To know that He is close to me, 

My God, my Guide ; 
He leadeth me, and so I walk 

Quite satisfied. 

To blind my eyes, He may reveal 

. No light at all ; 
But while I lean on His strong arm 
I cannot fall. 

Richmond Christian Advocate. 



GOD S REST. 



}T is the evening hour, 
And thankfully, 
Father, Thy weary child 

Has come to Thee ; 
I lean my aching head 

Upon Thy breast, 
And there, and only there, 

I am at rest ; 
Thou knowest all my life, 

Each petty sin ; 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 129 

Nothing is hid from Thee, 

Without, within ; 
All that I have or am 

Is wholly Thine, 
So is my soul at peace, 

For Thou art mine. 
To-morrow's dawn may find 

Me here or there ; 
It matters little, sinee Thy love 

Is everywhere I 



A MIDNIGHT HYMN. 

IN the mild silence of the voiceless night, 
When, chased by airy dreams, the slumbers flee, 
Whom in the darkness doth my spirit seek, 
O God ! but Thee ? 

And if there be a weight upon my breast — 
Some vague impression of the day foregone — 
Scarce knowing what it is, I fly to Thee 
And lay it down. 

If it be the heaviness that comes 
In token of anticipated ill, 
My bosom takes no heed of what it is, 
Since 'tis Thy will 

For oh ! in spite of past and present care, 
Or anything besides, how joyfully 
Passes that almost solitary hour, 
My God, with Thee! 
9 



130 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

More tranquil than the stillness of the night, 
More peaceful than the silence of that hour, 
More blest than anything, my bosom lies 
Beneath Thy power. 

For what is there on earth that I desire, 
Of all that it can give or take from me ? 
Of whom in heaven doth my spirit seek, 
O God ! but Thee ? 



CLING TO THOSE WHO CLING TO YOU. 



THERE are many friends of summer, 
Who are kind while flowers bloom, 
But when winter chills the blossoms, 

They depart with the perfume. 
On the broad highway of action 

Friends of worth are far and few ; 
So when one has proved his friendship, 
Cling to him who clings to you. 

Do not harshly judge your neighbor, 

Do not deem his life untrue, 
If he makes no great pretensions — 

Deeds are great though words are few ; 
Those who stand amid the tempest, 

Firm as when the skies are blue, 
Will be friends while life endureth. 

Cling to those who cling to you. 

When you see a worthy brother 
Buffeting the stormy main, 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 131 

Lend a helping hand fraternal, 

Till he reach the shore again ; 
Don't desert the old and tried, 

When misfortune comes in view, 
For he then needs friendship's comforts. 

Cling to those who cling to you. 



DON'T LOOK SAD. 



NEVER look sad ; nothing so bad 
As getting familiar with sorrow ; 
Treat him to-day in a cavalier way, 

And he'll seek other quarters to-morrow. 

Long you'd not weep, could you but peep 
At the bright side of each trial ; 

Fortune you'll find is often most kind, 
When chilling your hopes with denial. 

Let the sad day carry away 

Its own little burdens of sorrow, 

Or you may miss half of the bliss 
That comes in the lap of to-morrow. 



HOW TO LIVE. 



HE liveth long who liveth well ! 
All other life is short and vain. 
He liveth longest who can tell 
Of living most for heavenly gain. 



132 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

He liveth long who liveth well ! 

All else is being flung away ; 
He liveth longest who can tell 

Of true things truly done each day. 

Waste not thy being ; back to Him 
Who freely gave it, freely give ; 

Else is that being but a dream : 
'Tis but to be, and not to live. 

Be wise, and use thy wisdom well ; 

Who wisely speaks must live it too ; 
He is the wisest who can tell 

How first he lived, then spoke, the true. 

Be what thou seemest ! live thy creed ! 

Hold up to earth the torch Divine ; 
Be what thou prayest to be made ; 

Let the great Master's steps be thine. 

Fill up each hour with what will last ; 

Buy up the moments as they go ; 
The life above, when this is past, 

Is the ripe fruit of life below. 

Sow truth if thou the true wouldst reap ; 

Who sows the false shall reap the vain ; 
Erect and sound thy conscience keep ; 

From hollow words and deeds refrain. 

Sow love, and taste its fruitage pure ; 

Sow peace, and reap its harvest bright ; 
Sow sunbeams on the rock and moor, 

And find a harvest-home of light. 

H. BONAR. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 133 

WAITING ON GOD. 



I CANNOT think but God must know 
About the thing I long for so ; 
I know He is so good, so kind, 
I cannot think but He will find 
Some way to help, some way to show 
Me to the thing I long for so. 

I stretch my hand — it lies so near ; 
It looks so sweet, it looks so dear ; 
" Dear Lord," I pray, " O, let me know 
If it is wrong to want it so ?" 
He only smiles — He does not speak ; 
My heart grows weaker and more weak, 
With looking at the thing so dear, 
Which lies so far, and yet so near. 

Now, Lord, I leave at Thy loved feet 
This thing which looks so near, so sweet ; 
I will not seek, I will not long — 
I almost fear I have been wrong. 
I'll go and work the harder, Lord, 
And wait till by some loud, clear word 
Thou callest me to Thy loved feet, 
To take this thing so dear, so sweet. 

Saxe Holm. 



GOD KNOWS. 



THROUGH all my little daily cares there is 
One thought that comfort brings whene'er it comes ; 
'Tis this — " God knows." He knows, indeed, full well 



134 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Each struggle that my hard heart makes to bring 
My will to His. Often, when night-time comes, 
My heart is full of tears, because the good 
That seemed at morn so easv to be done 
Has proved so hard ; but then remembering 
That a kind Father is my judge, I say 
" He knows," and so I lay me down with trust 
That His good hand will give me needed strength 
To better do His work in coming days. 



MY NEIGHBOR'S BABY. 



ACROSS in my neighbor's window, 
With the drapings of satin and lace, 
I see, 'neath his flowing ringlets, 

A baby's innocent face. 
His feet, in crimson slippers, 

Are tapping the polished glass, 
And the crowd in the street look upward, 
And nod and smile as they pass. 

Just here in my cottage window, 

Catching flies in the sun, 
With a patched and faded apron, 

Stands my own little one. 
His face is as pure and handsome 

As the baby's over the way, 
And he keeps my heart from breaking 

At my toiling, every day. 

Sometimes, when the day is ended, 
And I sit in the dusk to rest, 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 135 

With the face of my sleeping darling 

Hugged close to my lonely breast, 
I prayed that my neighbor's baby 

May not catch heaven's roses all, 
But that some may crown the forehead 

Of my loved one as they fall. 

And when I draw the stockings 

From the little weary feet, 
And kiss the rosy dimples 

In his limbs, so round and sweet — 
I think of the dainty garments 

Some little children wear, 
And that my God withholds them 

From mine, so pure and fair. 

May God forgive my envy ; 

I know not what I said ; 
My heart is crushed and troubled — 

My neighbor's boy is dead ! 
I saw the little coffin 

As they carried it out to-day — 
A mother's heart is breaking 

In the mansion over the way. 

The light is fair in the window ; 

The flowers bloom at my door ; 
My boy is chasing the sunbeams 

That dance on the cottage floor. 
The roses of health are blooming, 

On my darling's cheek to-day, 
But the baby is gone from the window 

Of the mansion over the way. 



136 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

WATCH. 



" TT may be in the evening, 
X When the work of the day is done, 
And you have time to sit in the twilight 

And watch the sinking sun, 
While the long, bright day dies slowly 

Over the sea, 
And the hour grows quiet and holy 
With thoughts of me ; 

" While you hear the village children 
Passing along the street, 
Among those thronging footsteps 

May come the sound of my feet. 
Therefore, I tell you : Watch 

By the light of the evening star, 
When the room is growing dusky 

As the clouds afar ; 
Let the door be on the latch 

In vour home, 
For it may be through the gloaming 
I will come. 

" It may be when the midnight 

Is heavy upon the land, 
And the black waves lying dumbly 

Along the sand ; 
When the moonless night draws close, 
And the lights are out in the house ; 

When the fire burns low and red, 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 137 

And the watch is ticking loudly 

Beside the bed ; 
Though you sleep, tired out, on your couch, 
Still your heart must wake and watch 

In the dark room, 
For it may be that at midnight 

I will come. 

" It may be in the morning 

When the sun is bright and strong, 
And the dew is glitteriug sharply 

Over the little lawn ; 
When the w r aves are laughing loudly 

Along the shore, 
And the little birds are singing sweetly 

About the door ; 
With the long day's work before you, 

You rise up with the sun, 
And the neighbors come in to talk a little 

Of all that must be done. 
But remember that I may be the next 

To come in at the door, 
To call you from all your busy work 
Forevermore. 

" As you work your heart must watch, 
For the door is on the latch 
In your room, 
It may be in the morning 

I will come." 
^ % % ^ %■ i£ 

So I am watching quietly 
Every day. 



138 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Whenever the sun shines brightly, 

I rise and say : 
" Surely it is the shining of His face !" 
And look unto the gates of His high place 

Beyond the sea ; 
For I know He is coming shortly 

To summon me. 

And whenever a shadow falls across the window 

Of my room, 
Where I am working my appointed task, 
I lift my head to watch the door and ask 

If He is come ; 
And the angel answers sw T eetly 

In my home ; 
" Only a few more shadows, 
And He will come." 



MINISTERING. 



WHAT though your feet are often overweary, 
On ceaseless errands sent, 
And tired shoulders ache and ache so sorely 

'Neath heavy burdens bent ! 
Be patient, lest the ones whom you are serving 

Be soon beyond your care ; 
Lest the little wayward feet that you are guiding, 
Slip past you unaware. 

Ah, then, no joy would seem so dear and blessed 
As spending months and years 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 139 

In ceaseless service for the vanished darlings 

So vainly mourned with tears, 
But while you have your dear ones still around you, 

Do not regret your care ; 
Far easier aching feet and arms and shoulders, 

Than aching hearts to bear. 

And still beyond your household duties reaching, 

Stretch forth a helping hand, 
So many stand in need of loving comfort, 

All over this wide land ; 
Perchance some soul you aid to-day, to-morrow 

May with the angels sing ; 
Some one may go straight from your earthly table 

To banquet with the King. 



AFTER THE DARKNESS— LIGHT. 



AFTER the darkness— light ! 
Out of the evil — good ! 
From foulest wrong, upriseth Right — 
Sin-cleansed, O Christ, in blood ! 

What tho' the billows roll ? 

What tho' the waves sweep o'er? 
The tempest, Lord, Thou canst control, 

And guide us safe to shore ! 

O doubting heart, be still! 

O fainting soul, be brave! 
By devious ways works He His will, 

Omnipotent to save ! 



140 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Truth lives — for this Christ died ; 

And e'en though crushed to earth, 
Shall rise again, re-glorified, 

Child of immortal birth ! 

Then lag not, weary feet, 

Tho' rocks loom mountain high — • 

Press bravely on, for fair and sweet 
Beyond the valleys lie ! 

Dread not the battle hour — 
Move on to meet the foe ! 

Heaven grants the hero's arm in power- 
Heaven guides the patriot's blow ! 

Tho' dark the dun clouds roll — 
Tho' deadly fierce the fray, 

God can the battle storm control, 
And bid the billows stay ! 

O doubting heart, be still ! 

O fainting soul, be brave ! 
By devious ways works He His will, 

Omnipotent to save ! 



A TANGLED SKEIN. 



LIFE is but a tangled skein, 
Full of trouble, toil, and travail ; 
Knots that puzzle heart and brain, 
We must study to unravel ; 
Slowly, slowly, 
Bending lowly 






SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 141 

O'er our task, and trusting wholly 
Unto Him, whose loving hand 
Helps us smooth each twisted strand. 

In our hands at early morn, 

And at night, when darkness lingers, 
Still the distaff must be borne, 

While the thread slips through our fingers, 
Lightly, lightly, 
Twisting tightly 
Colors that shall gleam out brightly 
When the fabric feels the strain. 

He who lack of skill or thought 
Is in awkwardness betraying, 
Will the lines of grace distort, 
By the friction surely fraying 
Thread so tender, 
Fine, and slender, 
Stands accused as an offender, 
And himself alone must blame 
For the knots that cause him shame. 

Some may wind a silken thread, 

Soft and smooth, and beautiful ; 
Others flax may hold instead, 
Or the coarse and shaggy wool ; 
But if ever 
Our endeavor 
From the stains of sin to sever, 
We may w r eave them bright and fair 
In the robes that angels wear. 



142 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Life's a complex skein, indeed, 

Full of trouble, toil, and travail ; 
More than human help we need, 
All its mazes to unravel. 
Slowly, slowly, 
Bending lowly, 
O'er our task, and trusting wholly 
In God's love, we patience gain 
As we w T ind the tangled skein. 

Josephine Pollard. 



THE LESSON OF THE LEAVES. 



AS, one by one, those autumn leaves descending 
To droop aud die, 
In rustled murmurs, breathe one soft, unending 

Sad threnody, 
Till branch and bough, whereon no vestige lingers 

Of summer bloom, 
Trace out upon the sky, with withered fingers, 
Their wintry doom, 

So, one by one, these earthly hopes we cherish — 

More dearly prized, 
Perchance, than Heaven itself — fall off and perish 

Unrealized. 
And leave us, with life's winter o'er us stealing, 

And skies o'ercast, 
With bared and outstretched arms, for help 

Appealing to Heaven at last. 






SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 143 

WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON ? 



COME, children, and listen ; I'll tell you in rhyme 
A story of something which happened one time ; 

There was war in the land, and each brave heart beat 

high, 
And many went forth for their country to die ; 
But words fail to tell of the fear and dismay 

Which swept the small village of W one day 

When the enemy's army marched into the street, 
And their own valiant soldiers were forced to retreat ; 
Such hiding, surrendering, and trembling with fear! 
When what in the midst of it all should appear 
But Grandmother Gregory, feeble and old, 
Coming out from her cottage, courageous and bold ! 
She faced the intruders who marched through the land, 
Shaking at them the poker she held in her hand. 
" How foolish !" her friends cried, provoked, it is true ; 
a Why, grandmother, what did you think you could do ?" 
" I w r anted to show them which side I was on." 

Now, children, I've told this queer story to you 
To remind you of something the weakest can do — 
There is always a fight 'twixt the right and the wrong, 
And the heat of the battle is borne by the strong, 
But, no matter how small, or unfit for the field, 
Or how feeble or graceless the weapon you wield, 
O, fail not, until the last enemy's gone, 
To stand up and show them w T hich side you are on. 

— Our Youth. 



144 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

THE HOUR OF COMFORT. 



JUST to trust, and yet to ask 
Guidance still ; 
Take the training or the task 

As He will ; 
Just to take the loss or gain 

As He sends it ; 
Just to take the joy or pain 
As He lends it. 
He who formed thee for His praise 
Will not miss the gracious aim ; 
So today and all thy days 
Shall be molded for the same. 

Just to leave in His dear hand 

Little things ; 
All we cannot understand, 

All that stings ; 
Just to let Him take the care 

Sorely pressing, 
Finding all we let Him bear 
Changed to blessing. 
This is all ! and yet the way 

Marked by Him who loves thee best, 
Secret of a happy day. 

Secret of His promised rest. 

F. R. Havergal. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 145 

OUR NATIONAL CURSE. 



DRUNKENNESS is the greatest evil of this nation, 
and it takes no logical process to prove that a 
drunken nation cannot long be a iree nation. Either 
drunkenness will be destroyed in this country or the 
American government will be destroyed. Drunkenness 
and free institutions are coming into a death-grapple. 

Oh! how many are waiting to see if something can- 
not be done. Thousands of drunkards are waiting who 
cannot go ten minutes in any direction without having 
the temptation glaring before their eyes or appealing to 
their nostrils, and they fighting against it with enfeebled 
will and diseased appetite, conquering, then surrender- 
ing, conquering and surrendering again, and crying : 
" How long, O Lord ! how long before these infamous 
solicitations shall be gone V And how many mothers 
there are waiting to see if this national curse cannot 
lift ! Oh ! is that the boy that had the honest breath 
who comes home with breath vitiated or disguised? 
What a change! How quickly those habits of early 
coming home have been exchanged for the rattling of 
the night-key in the door long after the last watchman 
has gone by and tried to see that everything was closed 
up for the night ! Oh ! what a change for that young 
man who we had hoped would do something in merchan- 
dise, or in artisanship, or in a profession that would do 
honor to the family name long after mother's wrinkled 
hands are folded from the last toil ! Ail that exchanged 
for a startled look when the door-bell rings, lest some- 
thing has happened ; and the wish that the scarlet fever 
10 



146 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

twenty years ago had been fatal, for then he would have 
gone directly to the bosom of his Saviour. But alas! 
poor old soul, she has lived to experience what Solomon 
said : " A foolish son is a heaviness to his mother." 

Oh ! what a funeral it will be when that boy is 
brought home dead. And how mother will sit there and 
say : " Is this my boy that I used to fondle, and that I 
walked the floor with in the night when he was sick? Is 
this the boy that I held to the baptismal font for bap- 
tism ? Is this the boy for whom I toiled until the blood 
burst from the tips of my Augers, that he might have a 
good start and a good home ? Lord, why hast Thou let 
me live to see this? Can it be that these swollen hands 
are the ones that used to wander over my face when 
rocking him to sleep? Can it be that this is the swollen 
brow that I once so rapturously kissed ? Poor boy ! how 
tired he does look. I wonder who struck him that blow 
across the temples ? I wonder if he uttered a dying 
prayer? Wake up, my son; don't you hear me? wake 
up ! Oh ! he can't hear me. Dead, dead, dead ! ' O Absa- 
lom, my son, my son, would God that I had died for 
thee, O Absalom, my son, my son !' " 

I am not much of a mathematician, and I cannot esti- 
mate it ; but is there any one here quick enough at fig- 
ures to estimate how many mothers there are waiting 
for something to be done ? Ay, there are many wives 
waiting for domestic rescue. He promised something 
different from that when, after the long acquaintance 
and the careful scrutiny of character, the hand and the 
heart were offered and accepted. What a hell on earth 
a woman lives in who has a drunken husband ! O 
death ! how lovely thou art to her, and how soft and 






SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 147 

warm thy skeleton hand ! The sepuicher at midnight 
in winter is a king's drawing-room compared with that 
woman's home. It is not so much the blow on the head 
that hurts as the blow on the heart. The rum fiend 
came to the door of that beautiful home, and opened 
the door and stood there, and said : " I curse this dwel- 
ling with an unrelenting curse. I curse that father into 
a maniac ; I curse that mother into a pauper. I curse 
those sons into vagabonds. I curse those daughters into 
profligacy. Cursed be bread-tray and cradle. Cursed 
be couch and chair, and family Bible with record of 
marriages and births and deaths. Curse upon curse." 
Oh ! how many wives are there waiting to see if some- 
thing cannot be done to shake these frosts of the second 
death off the orange-blossoms ! Yea, God is waiting, 
the God who works through human instrumentalities, 
waiting to see whether this nation is going to overthrow 
this evil ; and if it refuse to do so, God will wipe out 
the nation as He did Phoenicia, as He did Rome, as He 
did Thebes, as He did Babylon. 

T. De Witt Talmage, D.D. 



AT MOTHER'S KNEE. 



SAFE to the fold the shepherd leads 
His little lambs at close of day, 
And thus my darlings come to me, 

At last, grown weary of their play. 
And while the twilight shadows fall 
Oer hill and meadow from above, 



148 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

I draw my little lambkins safe 

Within the folds of home and love. 

All day the restless feet have chased 

The wandering sunbeams here and there ; 
All day the merry breeze has kissed 

My darlings' cheeks, and brow, and hair. 
All day my listening ear has caught 

The happy sound of childish glee, 
Until at last the sunset hour 

Has brought the children to my knee, 

Oh ! drowsy eyes of blue and brown, 

Oh ! nodding heads, I understand, 
'Tis time two little travelers start 

With mother's aid, for slumber-land. 
So fold the dresses snug away, 

And free the restless, dainty feet 
From shoe and stocking. Thus, at last, 

My little lambs, refreshed and sweet, 

And robed in white, before me kneel 

With folded hands. O Father ! Thou 
Who art the Shepherd of Thy flock, 

Bow down Thine ear, and listen now 
To each low, childish prayer that these 

My children offer up to Thee. 
Hallow the twilight hour, O Lord ! 

That brings them thus before my knee. 

And so through all the silent hours 
Which lie between the night and day, 

They shall not fear, since from the fold, 
Thy love will drive all foes away. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 149 

Sleep, little ones, oh ! sweetly sleep, 

Until the sunbeams gather fast, 
And safe from slumber-land you come 

Back to your mother's knee at last. 



OVERCOMETH. 



TO him that overcometh, 
O word divinely strong : 
The victor's palm, the fadeless wreath, 

The grand, immortal song. 
And his the hidden manna, 

And his the polished stone, 
Within whose whiteness shines the name 
Revealed to him alone. 

To him that overcometh — 

Ah, what of bitter strife, 
Before he win the battle's gage, 

And snatch the crown of life ! 
What whirl of crossing weapons, 

What gleam of flashing eyes, 
What stern debate with haughty foes 

Must be before the prize. 

To him that overcometh 

Shall trials aye befall, 
The World, the Flesh, the Devil, 

He needs must face them all. 
Sweet sirens of temptation 

May lure with silvery strain, 



150 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

And cope he must with subtle foes, 
And blanch 'neath fiery pain. 

To him that overcometh 

A mighty help is pledged ; 
He wields a sword of purest mold, 

By use of cycles edged. 
And prophets and confessors, 

A matchless, valiant band, 
Have vanquished earth, and stormed the skies, 

With that triumphant brand. 

To him that overcometh, 

O promise dearest, dear ! 
The Lord Himself, who died for him, 

Will evermore be near. 
Here, dust upon his garments, 

There, robes that royal be, 
For " On my throne/' the King hath said, 

" Mine own shall sit with me." 

To him that overcometh, 

O word divinely strong ! 
It weaves itself through weary hours 

Like some rejoicing song. 
For his the hidden manna, 

And his the name unknown, 
Which Christ the Lord one day of days 

Will tell to him alone. 

Margaret E. Sangster. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 151 

THE COMING OF HIS FEET. 



IN the crimson of the morning, in the whiteness of the 
noon, 
In the amber glory of the day's retreat, 
In the midnight, robed in darkness, or the gleaming of 
the moon, 
I listen for the coming of His feet. 

I have heard His weary footsteps on the sands of Galilee, 
On the temple's marble pavement, on the street, 

Worn with weight of sorrow, faltering up the slopes of 
Calvary, 
The sorrow of the coming of His feet. 

Down the minster-aisles of splendor, from betwixt the 
cherubim, 
Through the wondering throng, with motion strong 
and fleet, 
Sounds His victor tread, approaching with a music far 
and dim — 
The music of the coming of His feet. 

Sandaled not with shoon of silver, girdled not with 
woven gold, 
Weighted not with shimmering gems and odors sweet, 
But white- winged and shod with glory in the Tabor- 
light of old — 
The glory of the coming of His feet. 

He is coming, O my spirit ! with His everlasting peace, 

With his blessedness immortal and complete. 

He is coming, O my spirit! and His coming brings release, 

I listen for the coming of His feet. 

Independent. 



152 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

ONLY A SONG. 



IT was only a simple ballad, 
Sung to a careless throng ; 
There were none that knew the singer, 

And few that heeded the song ; 
Yet the singer's voice was tender 
And sweet as with love untold ; 
Surely those hearts were hardened 
That it left so proud and cold. 

She sang of the wondrous glory 

That touches the woods in spring ; 
Of the strange, soul-stirring voices 

When " the hills break forth and sing," 
Of the happy birds' low warbling 

The requiem of the day. 
And the quiet hush of the valleys 

In the dusk of the gloaming gray. 

And one in a distant corner — 

A woman worn with strife — 
Heard in that song a message 

From the spring-time of her life ; 
Fair forms rose up before her 

From the mist of vanished years ; 
She sat in happy blindness, 

Her eyes were veiled in tears. 

Then, when the song was ended, 
And hushed the last sweet tone, 

The listener rose up softly 
And went on her way alone, 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 153 

Once more to her life of labor 

She passed ; but her heart was strong; 

And she prayed, " God bless the singer ! 
And oh ! thank God for the song l M 



GOD KNOWETH BEST. 



QOMETIME, when all life's lessons have been learned, 
O And sun and stars forevermore have set, 
The things which our weak judgments here have 
spurned, 

The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet, 
Will flash before us out of life's dark night, 

As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue, 
And we shall see how all God's plans were right, 

And how what seemed reproof was love most true. 

And we shall see how, while we frown and sigh, 

God's plans go on as best for } t ou and me ; 
How, when we called, He heeded not our cry 

Because His wisdom to the end could see ; . 
And, even as prudent parents disallow 

Too much of sweet to craving babyhood, 
So God, perhaps, is keeping from us now 

Life's sweetest things, because it seemeth good. 

And if sometimes commingled with life's wine 
We find the wormwood, and rebel and shrink, 

Be sure a wiser hand than yours or mine 
Pours out this potion for our lips to drink, 

And if some friend we love is lying low, 
Where human kisses cannot reach his face, 



154 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Oh ! do not blame the loving Father so, 
But wear your sorrow with obedient grace. 

And you shall shortly know that lengthened breath 

Is not the sweetest gift God sends His friend ; 
And that sometimes the sable pall of death 

Conceals the fairest boon His love can send. 
If we could push ajar the gates of life 

And stand within, and all God's workings see. 
We could interpret all this doubt and strife, 

And for each mystery could find the key. 

But not today. Then be content, poor heart! 

God's plans, like lilies, pure and white unfold, 
We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart; 

T ime will reveal the calyxes of gold. 
\r>d if through patient toil we reach the land 

Where tired feet with sandals loose may rest, 
Where we shall clearly know and understand — 

I think that we shall say, God knew the best ! 

— Christian Union. 



LITTLE BY LITTLE. 



" T ITTLE by little," the torrent said, 
JlJ As it swept along in its narrow bed, 
Chafing in wrath and pride. 
"Little by little," and " day by day," 
And with every wave it bore away 
A grain of sand from the banks which lay 
Like granite walls on either side. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 155 

It came again, and the rushing tide 
Covered the valley far and wide, 

For the mighty banks were gone. 
" Little by little," and "day by day," 
A grain at a time they were swept away ; 
And now the fields and the meadows lay 

Under the waves — for the work was done. 

" Little by little," the tempter said, 
As a dark and cunning snare he spread 
For the young, unwary feet, 
" Little by little," and " day by day," 
I'll tempt the careless soul astray, 
Into the broad and flowery way, 
Until the ruin is made complete. 

" Little by little," sure and slow 
We fashion our future of bliss or woe 

As the present passes away. 
Our feet are climbing the stairway bright, 
Up to the region of endless light, 
Or gliding downward into the night, 

" Little by little," and " day by day." 



LEAVE IT WITH HIM. 



YES, leave it with Him, 
The lilies do; 
And they grow, 

They grow in the rain, 
And they grow in the dew — 
Yes they grow, 



156 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

They grow in the darkness all hid in the night; 
They grow in the sunshine revealed by the light ; 
Still they grow. 

They ask not your planting, 

They need not your care 
As they grow ; 
Dropping down in the valley, 
The field, anywhere — 
There they grow ; 
They grow in their beauty arrayed in pure white, 
They grow clothed in glory by heaven's own light, 
Sweetly grow. 

The grasses are clothed 

And the ravens are fed 
From His store, 
But you who are loved 

And guarded and led, 
How much more 
Will He clothe you and feed you and give you His care? 
Then leave it with Him, He has everywhere, 
Ample room. 

Yes, leave it with Him, 

'Tis more dear to His heart, 

You will know, 
Than the lilies that bloom, 
Or the flowers that start 

'Neath the snow. 
"Whatever you need, if you ask it in prayer, 
You can leave it with Him, for you are His care ; 
You, you know. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 157 

NOT KNOWING. 

" Not knowing the things that shall befall me there."— Acts xx, 22. 



I KNOW not what shall befall me ; 
God hangs a mist o'er my eyes, 
And thus, at each step of my onward path, 

He makes new scenes to rise ; 

And every joy He sends me comes 

As a sweet and glad surprise. 

I see not a step before me, 

As I tread on another year ; 
But the past is in God's keeping, 

The future His mercy shall clear, 
And what looks dark in the distance 

May brighten as I draw near. 

For perhaps the dreaded future 

Is less bitter than I think ; 
And the Lord may sweeten the waters 

Before I stoop to drink ; 
Or if Marah must be Marah, 

He will stand beside its brink. 

It may be He keeps waiting, 

Till the coming of my feet, 
Some gift of such rare blessedness, 

Some joy so strangely sweet, 
That my lips shall only tremble 

With the thanks they cannot speak. 

O restful, blissful ignorance ! 
'Tis blessed not to know ; 



158 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

It stills me in those mighty arms 

Which will not let me go, 
And sweetly hushes my soul to rest 

On the bosom which loves me so ! 

So I go on, not knowing : 

I would not if I might ; 
I would rather walk in the dark with God 

Than go alone in the light ; 
I would rather w T alk with Him by faith 

Than walk alone by sight. 

My heart shrinks back from trials 

Which the future may disclose ; 
Yet I never had a sorrow 

But what the dear Lord chose ; 
So I send the coming tears back 

With the whispered words, " He knows." 

Mary G. Brainard. 



GOD'S HAND. 



IN the still air, the music lies unheard ; 
In the rough marble, beauty lies unseen ; 
To make the music and the beauty needs 

The master's touch, the sculptor's chisel keen. 

Great Master ! touch us with Thy skillful hand, 
Let not the music that is in us die ; 

Great Sculptor ! hew and polish us, nor let, 
Hidden and lost, Thy form within us lie ! 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 159 

GIVE US A CALL. 



GIVE us a call ! We keep good beer, 
Wine, brandy, and whiskey here. 
Our doors are open to boys and men, 
And even women, now and then. 
We lighten their purse, we taint their breaths, 
We swell up the column of awful deaths. 
All kinds of crimes we sell for dimes, 
In our sugared poison so sweet to taste. 
If you've money, position, or time to w T aste, 

Give us a call ! 

Give us a call ! In a pint of gin 
We sell more wickedness, shame, and sin 
Than a score of clergymen, preaching ail day, 
From dawn to darkness, could preach away. 
And in our beer (though it may take longer 
To get a man drunk than drinks that are stronger) 
We sell out poverty, shame, and woe ; 
Who wants to purchase ? Our prices are low. 

Give us a call ! 

Give us a call ! We'll dull your brains, 
We'll give you headaches and racking pains, 
We'll make you old when you yet are young, 
To lies and slanders we'll train your tongue, 
We'll make you a shirk from all useful work, 
Make theft and forgery seem fair play, 
And murder a pastime sure to pay. 

Give us a call ! 



160 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Give us a call ! we are cunning and wise ; 
We are bound to succeed, for we advertise 
In the family papers, the journals that claim 
To be pure in morals and fair of fame. 
Husbands, brothers, and sons will read 
Our kind invitations, and some will heed, 
And give us a call ; we pay for all 
The space in the papers we occupy, 
And there's little in life that money won't buy. 
If you would go down in the world, and not up, 
If you would be slain by the snake in the cup, 
Or lose your soul in the flowing bow T l, 
If you covet shame and a blasted name, 

Give us a call ! 



LEFT UNDONE, 



IT isn't the thing you do, dear, 
It's the thing you've left undone, 
Which gives you a bit of heartache 

At the setting of the sun ; 
The tender word forgotten, 

The letter you did not write, 
The flower you might have sent, dear, 
Are your haunting ghosts to-night. 

The stone you might have lifted 

Out of a brother s way, 
The bit of heartsome counsel 

You were hurried too much to say, 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 161 

The loving touch of the hand, dear, 

The gentle and winsome tone, 
That yon had no time or thought for, 

With troubles enough of your own. 

The little act of kindness, 

So easily out of mind; 
Those chances to be angels 

Which every mortal finds — 
They come in night and silence — 

Each chill, reproachful wraith — 
When hope is faint and flagging, 

And a blight has dropped on faith. 

For life is all too short, dear, 

And sorrow is all too great, 
To suffer our slow compassion 

That tarries until too late. 
And it's not the thing you do, dear, 

It's the thing you leave undone, 
Which gives you the bit of heartache 

At the setting of the sun. 

Margaret E. Sangster. 



LEAD THOU ME. 



LEAD, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom, 
Lead Thou me on ; 
The night is dark, and I am far from home ; 

Lead Thou me on ; 
Keep Thou my feet ; I do not ask to see 
The distant scene ; one step's enough for me. 
11 



162 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou 

Shouldst lead me ou ; 
I loved to choose and see my path ; but now 

Lead Thou me on ; 
I loved the garish day ; and, spite of fears, 
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years. 

So long Thy power has blest me, sure it still 

Will lead me on 
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till 

The night is gone, 
And with the morn those angel faces smile 
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile. 

J. H. Newman. 



SOWING AND REAPING. 



SOW with a generous hand ; 
Pause not for toil nor pain ; 
Weary not through the heat of summer, 

Weary not through the cold spring rain ; 
But wait till the autumn comes 
For the sheaves of golden grain. 

Scatter the seed, and fear not, 

A table will be spread ; 
What matter if you are too weary 

To eat your hard-earned bread? 
Sow while the earth is broken, 

For the hungry must be fed. 

Sow. While the seeds are lying 
In the warm earth's bosom deep, 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 163 

And your warm tears fall upon it, 

They will stir in their quiet sleep ; 
And the green blades rise the quicker, 

Perchance, for the tears you weep. 

Then sow — for the hours are fleeting, 

And the seed must fall to-day ; 
And care not what hands shall reap it, 

Or if you have passed away 
Before the waving corn-fields 

Shall gladden the sunny day. 

Sow ; and look onward, upward, 

Where the starry light appears ; — 
Where, in spite of the coward's doubting, 

Or your own heart's trembling fears, 
You shall reap in joy the harvest 

You have sown to-day in tears. 

Adelaide Proctor. 



THROUGH PEACE TO LIGHT. 



I DO not ask, O Lord ! that life may be 
A pleasant road ; 
I do not ask that Thou would'st take from me 

Aught of its load ; 
I do not ask that flowers should always spring 

Beneath my feet ; 
I know too well the poison and the sting 
Of things so sweet. 

For one thing only, Lord, dear Lord, I plead, 
Lead me aright ; 



164 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Though strength should falter, and the heart should bleed, 

Through peace — to light. 
I do not ask, O Lord ! that Thou would' st shed 

Full radiance here ; 
Give but a ray of light, that I may tread 

Without a fear. 

I do not ask my cross to understand, 

My way to see ; 
Better in darkness— just to feel Thy hand 

And follow Thee. 
Joy is like restless day — but peace divine 

Like quiet night ; 
Lead me, O Lord ! till perfect day shall shine, 

Through peace — to light. 



A BIBLE BEADING ON " ROCK OF AGES." 



Hymn. Scripture. 

ROCK of ages cleft for me, Ps. 62 : 5-8. 

Let me hide myself in Thee ; Ex. 33 : 22. 

Let the water and the blood I John 5 : 6. 

From Thy riven side which flowed, John 1 9 : 34. 

Be of sin the double cure, II Kings 2 : 9, 10. 

Cleanse me from its guilt and power. Isa. 1 : 18. 

Not the labor of my hands John 5 : 30 (1st cl.) 

Can fulfill the law's demands : Matt. 5 : 17, 18. 

Could my zeal no respite know, Ps. 69 : 9 (1st cl). 

Could my tears forever flow, Ps. 6 : 6. 

All for sin could not atone, Heb. 10: 5, 6. 

Thou must save, and Thou alone. Heb. 10: 8-10. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 165 

Nothing in my hand I bring, Isa. 55 : 1. 

Simply to Thy cross I cling ; Gal. 6 : 14. 

Naked, come to Thee for dress ; Eom. 13 : 14 (lstcl.) 

Helpless, look to Thee for grace ; Phil. 4 : 13. 

Foul, I to the Fountain fly ; p s . 51 : 7. 

Wash me, Saviour, or I die. John 13 : 8 (2d cl.) 

While I draw this fleeting breath, Ps. 103 : 15, 16. 

When my eyelids close in death, Eccl. 12 : 3-7. 

When I soar to worlds unknown, John 14: 2, 3. 

See Thee on Thy judgment throne, Matt. 25: 31. 

Kock of ages cleft for me, I Cor. 10 : 4 (3d cl.) 

Let me hide myself in Thee. Ps. 17 : 8. 

Rev. Charles Arthur Jones. 



COMFORT ONE ANOTHER. 



COMFORT one another ; 
For the way is growing dreary, 
The feet are often weary, 
And the heart is very sad. 

There is heavy burden-bearing, 
When it seems that none are caring, 
And we half forget that ever we were glad. 

Comfort one another ; 

With the hand-clasp close and tender, 
With the sweetness love can render, 

And looks of friendly eyes. 

Do not wait with grace unspoken, 
While life's daily bread is broken ; 

Gentle speech is oft like manna from the skies. 



166 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Comfort one another ; 

There are words of music ringing 

Down the ages sweet as singing 
Of the happy choirs above. 

Ransomed saint and mighty angel, 

Lift the grand deep-voiced evangel, 
Where forever they are praising the eternal love. 

Comfort one another ; 

By the hope of Him who sought us 

In our peril — Him who bought us, 
Paying with His precious blood : 

By the faith that will not alter, 

Trusting strength that will not falter/l , 
Leaning on the 0ne divinely good. 

Comfort one another ; 

Let the grave-gloom lie behind you, 
While the Spirit's words remind you 
Of the home beyond the tomb. 

Where no more is pain or parting, 
Fever's flush or tear-drop starting, 
But the presence of the Lord, and for all His people 
room. 

M. A. Sangster. 



THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING. 



PRINCESSES, are they, of a royal line, 
Soft clad in purple ? Nay ; not so, not so ; 
The heirs of One whose kingdom is divine, 
They walk in white, and meekly as they go, 
Where robes of scarlet have been made like snow. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 167 

Princesses still, in ermine, white like wool, 

Cleaned by the King's own touch from spot or stain ; 

Emptied of self; of His own life so full, 
That, overflowing on a world in pain 
They bless and serve, and in their service reign. 

For them the place of honor at the feast ? 

And, close at His right hand, the highest seat ? 
Nay, 'mong His little ones to be the least ; 

To feed His hungry souls their bread and meat ; 

And theirs the lowliest place at His dear feet. 

Swift from their clasp should drop all sceptres down, 
To free their hands, God's healing cups to bear ; 

Swift from their brow lift e'en a royal crown, 
Lest His name in their foreheads written fair, 
Be hidden, and some sad soul miss it there. 

Their joy should be to bear His cross and shame ; 

Their cure to pour for others wounds a balm ; 
Their rest to labor grandly " in His name ;" 

To bring to troubled souls His blessed calm ; 

To change earth's cries of anguish to a psalm. 

How shall we know them if their lips are dumb? 
If lives are eloquent with deeds that sing, 

Along their track His kingdom swift shall come ! 
Whene'er they pass, new hopes be blossoming, 
And new souls find the father in the King. 

Draw close the bond of kinship, Christ Divine ! 

Make them joint heirs with Thee of truth and grace ; 
Let their hearts be Thy home, Thy heart their shrine ; 
Make through their little lives Thy grand life shine, 

And show through them the glory of Thy face. 



168 STJJSBAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

NOT MINK 



IT is not mine to run 
With eager feet 
Along life's crowded ways, 
My Lord to meet. 

It is not mine to pour 

The oil and wine, 
Or bring the purple robe 

And linen fine. 

It is not mine to break 

At His dear feet 
The alabaster-box 

Of ointment sweet. 

It is not mine to bear 

His heavy cross, 
Or suffer, for His sake, 

All pain and loss. 

It is not mine to walk 

Through valleys dim, 
Or climb far mountain heights 

Alone with Him ! 

He hath no need of me 

In grand affairs, 
Where fields are iost, or crowns 

Won unawares. 

Yet, Master, if I may 
Make one pale flower 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 169 

Bloom brighter, for Thy sake, 
Through one short hour ; 

If I, in harvest-fields 

Where strong ones reap, 
May bind one golden sheaf 

For love to keep ; 

May speak one quiet word 

When all is still, 
Helping some fainting heart 

To bear Thy will ; 

Or sing one high, clear song, 

On which may soar 
Some glad soul heavenward, 

I ask no more ! 

Julia C. K. Dorr; 



AMEN ! 



i 



CANNOT say, 
Beneath the pressure of life's cares to-day, 
joy in these ; 
But I can say 
That I had rather walk this rugged way, 
If Him it please. 

I cannot feel 
That all is well when darkening clouds conceal 

The shining sun ; 

But then I know 
God lives and loves ; and say, since it is so, 

Thy will be done. 



170 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

I cannot speak 
In happy tones ; the tear-drops on my cheek 

Show I am sad ; 

But I can speak 
Of grace to suffer with submission meek, 

Until made glad. 

I do not see 
Why God should e'en permit some things to be, 

When He is love ; 

But I can see, 
Tho' often dimly, through the mystery, 

His hand above ! 

I do not know 
Where falls the seed that I have tried to sow 

With greatest care ; 

But I know 
The meaning of each waiting hour below 

Sometime, somewhere ! 

I do not look 
Upon, the present, nor in nature's book, 

To read my fate ; 

But I do look 
For promised blessings in God's Holy Book ; 

And I can wait. 

I may not try 

To keep the hot tears back — but hush tha^ sigh 

" It might have been ;" 

And try to still 

Each rising murmur, and to God's sweet will 

Respond " Amen !" 

F. G. Browning. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 171 

HOLINESS. 



DO thy little, do it well, 
Do what right and reason tell, 
Do what wrong and sorrow claim, 
Conquer sin and cover shame. 

Do thy little, though it be 

Dreariness and drudgery ; 

They whom Christ apostles made 

1 Gathered fragments/' which He bade. 

Do thy little, never mind 
Though thy brethren be unkind, 
Though the one who ought to smile 
Mock and taunt thee for awhile. 

Do thy little, never fear 
While thy Saviour stand eth near : 
Let the world its javelins throw, 
On thy way undaunted go. 

Do thy little — canst thou count 
All the atoms of the mount ? 
Canst thou tell how many be 
All the wavelets of the sea ? 

Every little God will take, 
And of all will wisely make 
Mountaiu paths to climb the sky, 
Seas to drown our misery. 



172 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Do thy little, God has made 
Million leaves for forest shade ; 
Smallest stars their glory bring ; 
God enjoy eth everything. 

Do thy little, and when thou 
Feelest on thy pallid brow — 
Ere has fled the vital breath — 
Cold and damp, the sweat of death, 

Then the little thou hast done — 
Little battles bravely won, 
Little masteries achieved, 
Little wants with care relieved, 
Little words in love expressed, 
Little wrongs at once confessed, 
Little favors kindly done, 
Little toils thou didst not shun, 
Little graces meekly worn, 
Little slights with patience borne ; 
These shall crown thy pillowed head, 
Holy light upon thee shed ; 
These are treasures that shall rise 
Far beyond the smiling skies ; 
These to thee shall all be given 
For thy heritage in heaven ; 
These shall all perfume the air 
When thy spirit enters there : 
Yet they still shall linger here, 
And thy name shall long endure— 
For a legacy shall be — 
In their deathless memory. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 173 

BY-AND-BY. 



THERE'S a little mischief-makef 
That is stealing half our bliss, 
Sketching pictures iu a dreamland, 

That are never seen in this, 
Dashing from the lips the pleasures 

Of the present while we sigh ; 
You may know that mischief-maker, 
For his name is By-and-by. 

He is sitting by your hearthstone, 

With his sly, bewitching glance, 
Whisp'ring of the coming morrow 

As the social hours advance ; 
Loitering ' raid our calm reflections, 

Hiding forms of beauty nigh ; 
He's a smooth, deceitful fellow, 

This enchanter, By-and-by. 

You may know him by his winning, 

By his careless, sportive air ; 
By his sly, obtrusive presence, 

That is straying everywhere ; 
By the trophies that he gathers 

Where his sombre victims lie ; 
For a bold, determined fellow 

Is this conqueror, By-and-by. 

When the calls of duty haunt us, 
And the present seems to be 



174 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

All the time that ever mortals 
Snatch from dark eternity, 

Then a fairy hand seems painting 
Pictures on a painted sky ; 

For a cunning little artist 
Is this fairy, By-and-by. 

" By-and-by," the wind is sighing, 

" By-and-by," the heart replies; 
But the phantom just above it 

Ere we grasp it ever flies. 
List not to the idle charmer, 

Scorn the very specious lie — 
Do not you believe or trust in 

That deceiver, By and-by. 



TRIFLES. 



WHAT will it matter in a little while 
That for a day 
We met and gave a word, a touch, a smile, 
Upon the way ? 

What will it matter whether hearts were brave 

And lives were true; 
That you gave me the sympathy I crave, 

As I gave you ? 

These trifles ! Can it be they make or mar 

A human life ? 
Are souls as lightly swayed as rushes are 

By love or strife ? 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 175 

Yea, yea ! a look the fainting heart may break, 

Or make it whole , 

And just one word, if said for love's sweet sake, 

May save a soul ! 

May Riley Smith. 



READ THIS, BOYS. 



DO you w T ant some day to be great, boys ? 
You must first be good and true ; 
Would you rise to high estate, boys ? 

Then you rnusn't mind what you do. 
So long as it's honest and right, boys, 

You should do it, and do it well ; 
You should do it as in God's sight, boys, 
For you know He can always tell. 

Stand up for the small and the weak, boys, 

And help them whene'er you can ; 
It is for this that we seek, boys, 

In a well-bred gentleman. 
Don't mind if your jacket be old, boys, 

For a new one you'll get some day ; 
'Tis foolish to grumble and scold, boys, 

And it is not a pleasant way. 

Don't rail at the aged and poor, boys, 

For you may be old some day ; 
If alms they ask at your door, boys, 

Don't drive them in wrath away ; 
For their poverty's hard to bear, boys, 

You should cheer them w r hene'er you can ; 



176 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

And let each of you have a care, boys, 
That you act as a gentleman. 

And always stand up for the right, boys, 

Though you may stand with the few ; 
For right is not always might, boys, 

Though it may be good and true. 
And this is the way to be great, boys, 

'Tis a way that you all should heed ; 
And the way to a high estate, boys, 

Is by many a noble deed. 



DUTY. 



DAILY living seemeth weary 
To the one who never works ; 
Duty always seemeth dreary 
To the one who duty shirks. 

Only after hardest striving 

Cometh sweet and perfect rest ; 

Life is found to be worth living 
To the one who does his b st. 

C. M. Sheldon, 



NEW YEAR'S RESOLVE. 



AS the dead year is clasped by a dead December, 
So let your dead sins with your dead days lie. 
A new life is yours, and a new hope ! Remember 
We build our ow T n ladders to climb to the sky. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 177 

Stand out in the sunlight of promise, forgetting 
Whatever your past held of sorrow or wrong; 

We waste half our strength in a useless regretting ; 
We sit by old tombs in the dark too long. 

Have you missed in your aim ? Well, the mark is still 
shining ; 

Did you faint iu the race? well, take breath for the next; 
Did the clouds drive you back ? but see yonder their 
lining ; 

Were you tempted and fell ? let it serve for a text. 
As each year hurries by let it join that procession 

Of skeleton shapes that march down to the past, 
While you take your place in the line of progression, 

With your eyes on the heavens, your face to the blast 

I tell you the future can hold no terrors 

For any sad soul while the stars revolve, 
If he will but stand firm on the grave of his errors, 

And instead of regretting, resolve, resolve. 
It is never too late to begin rebuilding, 

Though all into ruins your life seems hurled ; 
For look ! how the light of the new year is gilding 

The worn, wan face of the bruised old world ! 

Ella Wheeler Wilcox. 



TWO PICTURES FROM LIFE. 



THE dram-seller's wife wears fine silken robes, 
Her laces are costly and rare, 
And jewels most precious flash dazzling light 
From her fingers so soft and fair ; 
12 



178 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

The dram-drinker's wife looks careworn and pale, 

And scanty and faded her dress, 
For rags are her laces, salt tears are her gems, 

As she toils in her wretchedness. 



The dram-seller lives in a beautiful house, 

Its splendors his neighbors' fcurpass, 
His table is loaded with delicate food, 

And sparkling with silver and glass ; 
The dram-drinker's home is a squalid, bare place, 

There is nothing of comfort within ; 
Oft his table is spread with naught but a crust, 

His children look hungry and thin. 

The dram-seller's children are tenderly raised, 

And shielded from want and its cares, 
While every advantage which wealth can procure, 

And every indulgence is theirs ; 
The dram-drinker's children know little of joy, 

Their birthright is shame and disgrace, 
The pitiful story of each little life 

May be read in each sad little face. 

The dram seller's wealth increases each day, 

Men call him benevolent and just, 
They greet him with pride and ask him to fill 

Positions of honor and trust ; 
The dram-drinker's purse grows lighter each day, 

More degraded and wretched his life. 
Men sneer at his name, and say, " were he dead, 

'Twould be better for children and wife." 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 179 

O'er the dram-seller's grave a monument stands, 

A massive square column of stone, 
Iuscribed with the name and the many good deeds, 

And the virtues of him that is gone ; 
The dram-drinker's grave is unnoticed, unmarked, 

In a lonely green corner 'tis made. 
Disgraced, almost friendless in life, in his death 

With the outcast and poor he is laid. 

From the dram-seller's grave a solemn voice sounds, 

Lead not in the dram-drinker's path 
Thy brother, nor tempt him to walk in the way 

That calls down omnipotent wrath ; 
By the drunkard's lone grave memory brings from her 
store 

Words found in the volume divine, 
Woe ! woe ! shall be his who follows strong drink, 

And tarries all day at his wine ! 



TRUE HEROISM. 



LET others write of battles fought 
On bloody, ghastly fields, 
Where honor greets the man who wins, 

And death the man who yields ; 
But I will write of him w T ho fights 

And vanquishes his sins, 
Who struggles on through weary years 
Against himself, and wins. 

He is a hero staunch and bold 
Who fights an unseen foe, 



180 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTION3. 

And puts at last beneath his feet 
His passions base and low ; 

And stands erect in manhood's might 
Undaunted, undismayed — - 

The bravest man that drew a sword 
In foray or in raid. 

It calls for something more than brawn 

Or muscle to o'ercome 
An enemy, who marched not 

With waving plume and drum — 
A foe forever lurking nigh, 

With silent, stealthy tread 
Forever near your board by day, 

At night beside your bed. 

All honor, then, to that brave heart, 

Though poor or rich he be, 
Who struggles with the baser part, 

Who conquers and is free ; 
He raav not wear a hero's crown, 

Or fill a hero's grave ; 
But truth will place his name among 

The bravest of the brave. 



MORNING GLORIES. 



THEY said, " Don't plant them, mother ; they're so 
common and so poor;" 
But of seeds I had no other, so I dropped them by the 
door ; 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 181 

And they soon were brightly growing in the rich and 

teeming soil, 
Stretching upward, upward, upward, to reward me for 

my toil. 

They grew all o'er the casement, and they wreathed 
around the door, 

All about the chamber windows, upward, upward, ever- 
more ; 

And each dawn in glowing beauty, glistening in the 
early dew, 

Is the house all wreathed in splendor, every morning 
bright and new. 

What if they close at midday, 'tis because their work is 

done, 
And they shut their crimson petals from the kisses of 

the sun, 
Teaching every day their lesson to my weary, panting 

soul, 
To be faithful in well-doing, stretching upward for the 

goal. 

Sending out the climbing tendrils, trusting God for 

strength and power, 
To support, and aid and comfort, in the trying day and 

hour ; 
Never spurn the thing that's common, nor call these 

home flowers poor, 
For each hath a holy mission, like my glory o'er the 

door. 



182 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

EXAMPLE. 



WE scatter seeds with careless hand, 
And dream we ne'er shall see them more 
But for a thousand years 
Their fruit appears, 
In weeds that mar the land 
Or healthful store. 

The deeds we do, the words we say p 
Into still air they seem to fleet; 
We count them ever past ; 
But they shall last — 
In the dread judgment they 
And we shall meet. 

I charge thee by the years gone by, 
For the love of brethren dear, 
Keep, then, the one true way 
In work and play, 
Lest in the world their cry 
Of woe thou hear. 

Keble. 



NOT LOST. 



THE look of sympathy, the gentle word 
Spoken so low that only angels heard ; 
The secret act of pure self-sacrifice, 
Uneeen by men but marked by angels' eyes ;■ 
These are not lost. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 183 

The sacred music of a tender strain 
Wrung from a poet's heart by grief and pain, 
And chanted timidly, with doubt and fear, 
To busy crowds who scarcely pause to hear, 
It is not lost. 

The silent tears that fall at dead of night 
Over soiled robes that once were pure and white ; 
The prayers that rise like incense from the soul, 
Longing for Christ to make it clean and whole ; 
These are not lost. 

The happy dreams that gladdened all our youth, 
When dreams had less of self and more of truth ; 
The childlike faith so tranquil and so sweet, 
Which sat like Mary at the Master's feet ; 
These are not lost. 

The kindly plans devised for others' good, 
So seldom guessed, so little understood ; 
The quiet, steadfast love that strove to win 
Some wanderer from the woeful ways of sin ; 
These are not lost. 

Not lost, O Lord, for in Thy city bright, 
Our eyes shall see the past by clearer light ; 
And tilings long hidden from our gaze below, 
Thou wilt reveal, and we shall surely know 
They were not lost. 

Sarah Doudney. 



184 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 



THE OLD YEAR. 



LAST night, when all the village 
Was lying white and still, 
With starlight in the valley, 

With moonlight on the hill, 
I wakened from my dreaming, 

And hushed my heart to hear 
The old clock on the steeple 
Toll out the dying year. 

They say that when the angels 

The blessed New Year brings, 
The souls that wake to listen 

Can hear them softly sing 
The same melodious anthem . 

Of peace and love on earth, 
That told to Judah's shepherds 

The dear Redeemer's birth. 

No sound came through the silence, 

But waiting there, I thought 
Of all the gifts and blessings 

The year to me had brought : 
And something sang within me, 

"O happy heart! to-day 
Remember all who sorrow, 

And wipe their tears away." 

So, in that solemn morning 

When first thy feet shall stand, 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 185 

Where dawn in light unshadowed 

The years of God's right hand ; 

The words of benediction 

Thy welcome home shall be, 

" Thy deeds of love and mercy 

Have all been done to me !" 

Little Corporal. 



THE TWO BANNERS OF AMERICA. 



IT makes the blood tingle and the cheeks glow to read 
how men have gone into battle under the inspira- 
tion of the " red, white, and blue." It is enough to 
make the nation weep for joy, their devotion to the dear 
old flag; rt Old Glory," they call it. 

I saw a young sergeant in the hospital at Fredericks- 
burg. He w T as dying there with the " stars and stripes" 
about him ; arms, haversack, canteen, blanket, all were 
lost ; but he had clung to u Old Glory." His lips 
moved ; we stooped to listen. He was making his last 
charge: "Come on, boys! our country and our flag 
forever;" and wrapped in stars he w T ent up among the 
stars. 

Lift aloft, then, the "star-spangled banner." "For 
ever float that standard sheet." Unfurl it to the 
breeze that every zephyr may kiss the sacred folds, red 
with the blood of God's heroes, white with God's jus- 
tice, and blue with heaven's own azure. Bear it on- 
ward and onward. O braves of a free people, until over 
the whole vast extent of liberty's soil shall again be 
seen " the gorgeous ensign of the Republic, once more 
full high advanced." 



186 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

I believe that God has made this whole land a cradle 
of liberty ; and is rocking, rocking it to and fro, to and 
fro, with omnipotent arms ; and as the nations hear the 
thunder of that rocking, we pray God that it may never 
cease untii liberty shali need rocking no more in her 
cradle, but shall stand up, fair and young and strong, 
true liberty, liberty for the body and liberty for the soul, 
and shall walk as a queen through the land, the daugh- 
ter of our Christianity, nursling of God and America. 

Yet above the banner of the Constitution, above the 
banners of the American soldiers and sailors, above 
even the " stars and stripes," high over all, let us raise 
the banner of the cross, that we and the world may read 
its sacred motto : " Immanuel — God with us." 

And then, with the mystic cords of memory stretch- 
ing from every battle-field and patriot grave, to every 
living heart and hearthstone over all this broad land, 
swelling again the chorus of the Union, we shall go on, 
giving light to the nations and liberty to man and honor 
to God. Rev. Herrick Johnson. 



THE WOMAN HEALED. 



THE throng was great. Back from the Gaderenes 
Who would have none of Him, the Christ had 
come 
Unto His own again. With what great joy 
They welcomed His return ! How eagerly 
They pressed around His blessed form, sick ones 
And sinful, just to feel His healing touch ; 
The poor, the rich, but all for heart or flesh 
In need of saving power. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 187 

Among that crowd 
A trembling woman stands, irresolute. 
Back in her mountain home the tidings came, 
That no one coming unto Him was turned 
Away, whate'er the malady might be. 
Had He not raised the widow's son at Nain, 
And healed the slave of the centurion ? 
And, for a woman clothed about with sin, 
Reproached the Pharisee, as He forgave 
Her all, and bade her " Go in peace and sin 
No more ?" 

Up from her bed of w T eary pain, 
Weak from so many years of suffering, 
A new hope taking life in spite of past 
Discouragements, she comes at last so near 
The Healer. Can she tell Him all e'en now? 
She fears the crowd ! She fears to stay the Christ ! 
What is her woe to Him, and yet, oh, yet, 
She cannot turn away! I w T ill but touch 
His garment's hem, she whispers low, snd so, 
With new-born strength, and heart all quivering, 
She comes to Him, her hope. W r ith timid hand, 
Outstretched, she touches but His robe, w T hen lo! 
Her faith hath made her whole ! 

But hark ! He speaks ! 
" Who touched me?" she can hear the Master say. 
Affrighted lest she may have done amiss 
(And yet she dare not but confess her guilt, 
If guilt it be), forgetting time or place, 
Remembering only what her Christ had done, 
Low at His feet she falls, and humbly there 
Pours out the storv of her troubled life. 



188 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

Did He rebuke her boldness ? Does He now 
When to His side a sin-sick sinner comes ? 
Methinks I see to-day His look of love 
Bestowed upon that tired, anxious face, 
Uplifted pleadingly before His gaze. 
See how He claims her even as His own ! 
Not with reproach, but with great tenderness ; 
" Daughter, be of good comfort, go in peace," 
And then, as if to crown still more her faith 
And love, He says, " Thy faith hath made thee whole!" 

Mrs Jessie F. Houser. 



KEMEMBER BOYS MAKE MEN. 



WHEN you see a ragged urchin 
Standing wistful in the street, 
With torn hat and kneeless trousers^ 

Dirty face and bare red feet, 
Pass not by the child unheeding ; 

Smile upon him. Mark me, when 
He's grown he'll not forget it ; 
For remember, boys make men. 

When the buoyant youthful spirits 

Overflow in boyish freak, 
Chide your child in gentle accents, 

Do not in your anger speak. 
You must sow in youthful bosoms 

Seed of tender mercy ; then 
'Plants will grow and bear good fruitage 

When the erring boys are men. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 189 

Have you never seen a grand sire, 

With his eyes aglow with joy, 
Bring to mind some act of kindness 

Something said to him, a boy ? 
Or relate some slight or coldness, 

With a brow all clouded, when 
He said they were too thoughtless 

To remember boys make men ? 

Let us try to add some pleasure 

To the life of every boy ; 
For each child needs tender interest 

In its sorrow and its joy. 
Call your boys home by its brightness ; 

They avoid a gloomy den, 
And seek for comfort elsewhere ; 

And remember, boys make men. 

Mary E. Tucker. 



A SONG OF PRAISE. 



OSIISTG unto the Lord a new song : 
Siog unto the Lord all the earth. 
Sing unto the Lord, bless His name ; 

Show forth His salvation from day to day. 
Declare His glory among the heathen, 
His wonders among all people. 

For the Lord is great, 

And greatly to be praised : 
He is to be feared above all gods. 



190 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

For all the gods of the nations are idols : 

But the Lord made the heavens. 
Honor and majesty are before Him : 

Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. 

Give unto the Lord, 

O ye kindreds of the people, 
Give unto the Lord glory and strength. 
Give unto the Lord the glory 
Due unto His name : 
Bring au offering, and come into His courts. 
O worship the Lord 

In the beauty of holiness : 
Fear before Him, all the earth 
Say among the heathen 

That the Lord reigneth : 
The world also shall be established 

That it shall not be moved : 
He shall judge the people righteously. 

Let the heavens rejoice, 

And let the earth be glad ; 
Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. 
Let the field be joyful, 

And all that is therein : 
Then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice 
Before the Lord : 
For He cometh, 

For He cometh to judge the earth : 
He shall judge the world with righteousness, 
And the people with His truth. 

Psalm XCVL 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 191 



EISEN WITH CHRIST. 



GLORY! Glory! Hallelujah! Christ is risen to 
heights supreme, 
Far above our highest vision, far beyond our fondest 

dream. 
For the brightness of Hisglory is all heavenly and divine, 
And the brightest crowns terrestrial seem no longer 
now to shine. 

Oh! beloved brother — sister, not in far-off worlds of 

light, 
But on earth our heaven commences, when Ave w T alk 

with Him in white ; 
When we've learned our life's one lesson, of obedience 

to His will, 
Then the struggle is all over, and our weary hearts are 

still. 

Discords now are far behind us, and w T e scarcely hear 

the sound, 
We are walking in His presence, and enjoy His peace 

profound, 
Now the w-alls of separation change into a golden 

chord, 
Making us all one together, one in Him, our loving Lord. 

We are one! no more to sever, nevermore can we divide, 
Like the holy augels round us, w r ho are walking by our 

side, 
hi their whiteness, in their brightness, they allure us on 

our way, 
Where the sun is ever shining, and no night succeeds 

the day. 



192 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

We are one ! no earthly love can be so sacred, so divine, 
Seeing "eye to eye " His glory, in His glory now we 

shine ! 
Living only for His kingdom, nothing earthly now we 

claim, 
Nothing charms us, thrills us, fills us, like the music of 

His name. 



TAKE UP THE COLLECTION 



LADIES and gentlemen : — 
I'm small, it is true, but great on the stump, 
And I think the managers knew it ; 
For they have a difficult work to do, 
And I've been selected to do it. 

You may talk to the head, and carry your point; 

May appeal to the heart, and succeed ; 
But to speak to the pocket, and make it respond, 

Is a difficult work, indeed. 

Some speak for applause, and only applause, 
And get what they work for, the scamps ; 

While I care for neither the clapping nor cheers, 
But hope you'll come down with the stamps. 

We've a load on our backs you can lighten if 
You will add to the backs that bear it ; 

It's green-ones we ask — you'll please give us one, 
If able and willing to spare it. 

We know that you will, for we've watched you to-night, 
While you listened to speech and to song ; 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 193 

And knew by ihe good-natured look of your face, 
You were anxious to help us along. 

Good-night, I retire ; to this I feel sure 
That you've not the slightest objection; 

So I will get down, the Committee get up, 
And when up they'll take up the collection. 



THERE'S NO SUCH WORD AS FAIL. 



THE proudest motto for the young! 
Write it in words of gold 
Upon thy heart, and in thy mind 

The stirring truths unfold ; 
And in misfortune's dreary hour, 

Or fortune's prosperous gale, 
'Twill have a holy cheering power — 
" There's no such word as fail." 

The weary student, bending o'er 

The tomes of other days, 
And dwelling on their magic lore, 

For inspiration prays ; 
And though with toil his brain is weak, 

His brow is deadly pale, 
The language of his heart will speak, 

" There's no such word as fail." 

The sailor on the stormy sea, 

May sigh for distant land, 
And, free and fearless though he be, 

Wish they were near the strand ; 
13 



194 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

But when the storm, on angry wings, 
Bears lightning, sleet, and hail, 

He climbs the slippery mast and sings, 
" There's no such word as fail." 

The wily statesman bends his knee 

Before fame's glittering shrine, 
And would an humble suppliant be 

To genius so divine ; 
Yet though his progress is full slow, 

And enemies m;iy rail, 
lie thinks at last the world to show 

" There's no such word as fail/' 

The child of God, though oft, beset 

By foes without, within, 
These precious words will ne'er forget, 

Amid their dreadful din ; 
But upward looks with eye of faith, 

Armed w r ith the Christian mail, 
And in the hottest conflict saith, 

" There's no such word as fail." 

Alice B. Neal. 



THE HALF WAS NOT TOLD ME. 



WHAT is that long procession approaching Jerusa- 
lem ? I think from the pomp of it there must 
be royalty in the train. T smell the breath of the spices 
which are brought as presents, and I hear the shout of 
the drivers, and T see the dust-covered caravan showing 
that they come from far away. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 195 

Cry the news up to the palace. The Queen of Sheba 
advances. Let all the people come out to see. Let the 
mighty men come out on the palace corridors. Let Sol- 
omon come down the stairs of the palace before the 
Queen has alighted. Shake out the cinnamon and the 
saffron and the calamus and the frankincense, and pass 
it into the treasure house. Take up the diamonds until 
they glitter in the sun. 

The Queen of Sheba alights. She enters the palace. 
She washes at the bath. She sits down at the banquet. 
The cup-bearers bow. The meats smoke. . The music 
trembles in the- halls aud through the corridors until it 
mingles iu the dash of the waters from the molten sea. 
Then she rises from the banquet, and she walks through 
the conservatories, and she gazes on the architecture, 
and she asks Solomon many strange questions, and she 
learns about the religion of the Hebrews, and she then 
and there becomes a servant of the Lord God. She is 
overwhelmed. She begins to think that all the spices 
she brought, and all the precious woods which are in- 
tended to be turned into harps and psalteries and into 
railings for the causeway between the templa and the 
palace, and the one hundred and eighty thousand dollars 
in money, — she begins to think that all these presents 
amount to nothing in such a place, and she is almost 
ashamed that she had brought them. She says within 
herself: " I heard a great deal about thi3 place and 
about this wonderful religion of the Hebrews, but I 
find it far beyond my highest anticipations. It exceeds 
everything that I could have expected. The half— the 
half was not told me." 

Well, there is coming to every Christian a far greater 
surprise. Heaven is an old story. Everybody talks 



196 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

about it. There is hardly a hymn in the hymn-book 
that does not refer to it. Children read about it in their 
Sabbath-school book. Aged men put on their spectacles 
to study it. We say it is a harbor from the storm. 
We call it our home. We say it is the house of many 
mansions. We weave together all sweet, beautiful, deli- 
cate, exhilarant words ; we weave them into letters ; and 
then we spell it out in rose and lily and amaranth. And 
yet that place is going to be a surprise to the most intel- 
ligent Christian. 

Like the Queen of Sheba, the report has come to us 
from the far country, and many of us have started. It 
is a desert march, but we urge on the camels. What 
though our feet be blistered with the way ? We are 
hastening to the palace. We take all our loves and 
hopes and Christian ambitions, as frankincense and 
myrrh and cassia, to the great King. We must not 
rest. We must not halt. The night is coming on, and 
it is not safe out here in the desert. Urge on the camels ! 
I see the domes against the sky, and the houses of Leba- 
non, and the temples and the gardens. See the foun- 
tains dance in the sun, and the gates flash as they open 
to let in the poor pilgrims. Send the word up to the 
palace that we are coming and that we are weary of the 
march of the desert. The King will come out and say: 
" Welcome to the palace ; bathe in these waters, recline 
on these banks. Take this cinnamon and frankincense 
and myrrh, and put it upon a censer and swing it be- 
fore the altar." 

And yet, my friends, when heaven bursts upon us it 
will be a greater surprise than that — Jesus on the throne 
and we made like Him ! All our Christian friends rur- 
rounding us in glory ! All our sorrows and tears and 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 197 

sins gone by forever ! The thousands of thousands, the 
one hundred and forty and four thousand, the great 
multitudes that no man can number, will cry world with- 
out end : " The half, — the half was not told us !" 

T. De Witt Talmage. 



WEATHER-SONG. 



WHEN" the weather is wet, 
We unlet not fret ; 
When the weather is cold, 
We must not scold ; 
When the weather is warm 
We must not storm ; 

But 
Be thankful together, 
Whatever the weather. 



THE UNSEEN BATTLE-FIELD. 



THERE is an unseen battle-field 
In every human breast, 
Where two opposing forces meet, 
But where they seldom rest. 

That field is veiled from mortal sight, 

-Tis only seen by One 
Who knows alone where victory lies, 

When each day's fight i3 done. 



198 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

One army clusters strong and fierce — 

Their chief of demon form ; 
His brow is like the thunder-cloud, 

His voice the bursting storm ; 

His captains — Pride, and Lust, and Hate — 
Whose troops watch night and day, 

Swift to detect the weakest points, 
And thirsty for the fray. 

Contending with this mighty force 

Is but, a little band ; 
Yet there, with an unquailing front, 

Those warriors firmly stand ! 

Their leader is a God-like form, 

Of countenance serene ; 
And glowing on His naked breast 

A simple cross is seen. 

His captains — Faith, and Hope, and Love- 
Point to that wondrous sign ; 

And gazing on it, all receive 
Strength from a Source divine. 

They feel it speak a glorious truth, 

A truth as great as sure — 
That to be victors they must learn 

To love, confide, endure. 

That faith sublime in wildest strife 
Imparts a holy calm ; 



SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 199 

For every deadly blow a shield, 
For every wound a balm. 

And when they win that battle field, 

Past toil is quite forgot ; 
The plain where carnage once had reigned. 

Becomes a hallowed spot — 

A spot where flowers of joy and peace 

Spring from the fertile sod, 
And breathe the perfume of their praise 

On every breeze — to God. 



WORDS OF WELCOME. 



KIND friends, and dear parents, we welcome you 
here 
To our nice pleasant school-room, and teachers so dear ; 
We wish but to show how much we have learned, 
And how to our lessons our hearts have been turned. 

But hope you'll remember we all are quite young, 
And when we have spoken, recited, and sung, 
You will pardon our blunders, which, as all are aware, 
May even extend to the president's chair. 

Our life is a school time ; and till that shall end, 
With our Father in heaven for teacher and friend, 
O, let us perform well each task that is given 
Till our time of probation is ended in heaven. 



200 SUNDAY SCHOOL SELECTIONS. 

CLOSING ADDRESS. 



INDULGENT friends, you now have heard us thro', 
In kindness we can bid you all adieu ; 
The closing hour to all has come at last ; 
How quickly have the moments flitted past, 
It seems, I know, a dream of sportive plays, 
Yet, parents dear, well spent have been our days. 
Teachers and friends, and pleasant classmates, too, 
We kindly bid you, one and all, adieu. 



AN ALPHABETICAL LIST 

OF THE CONTENTS OF 

VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS. 



BEST SELECTIONS 

Each number, Paper Binding, 30c. ; Cloth, 50c. 



CONTENTS OF No. 1. 



Abraham Lincoln. 

After the Accident. 

Annie aud Willie's Prayer. 

Betsey and I are Out. 

Blue and the Gray, The. 

Boys. The. 

Break, Break, Break. 

Bridge. 

Bugle Song. 

Bulla m versus Boatum. 

Burial of Moses, The. 

Cat-Tails. 

Charcoal Man, The. [gade. 

Charge of the Light Bri- 

Caild-Wife, The. 

Coming and Going. 

Creeds of the Bells, The. 

Crossing the Carry. 

Daath of Litile Joe. 

Death of Little Nell. 

Dvjr Coming Man. 

Difficulty of Rhyming, The. 

Dying Christian, The. 

Empty Nest, The. 

Eveuing at the Farm. 

Experience with European 

Guides. 
Extract from the Last 

Speech of Robt. Emmett. 
First Te Denm, The. 
Forty Years Ago. 
Growth of the American 

Republic 



Hamlet's Instruction to the 

Players. 
Hamlet's Ghost. 
How Paul Won His Goat. 
Independence Bell. 
Irish Schoolmaster, The. 
Isle of Long Ago, The. 
Jean Anderson, my Joy, 

Jean. 
John Maynard. 
Katie Lee and Willie Gra<y. 
Katydid. 

Launch of the Ship, The. 
Lullaby. [The. 

Memory of Washington, 
Modern Cain, The. 
Mrs. Caudle's Lecture. 
Mv Earlv Home. 
My Mule. 
Nathan's Case. 
Nix's Mate. 
Nobody's Child. 
Old Year and the New, 
:The. 

Old Yankee Farmer, The. 
Orator Puff. 
Othello's Apology. 
Our Folks. 
Over the Hill. 
Over the River. 
Palmerston and Lincoln. 
Papa Says So, Too. 



Parting Lovers, The. f 

Patrick Dolin's Love-Lettet 
Pat's Excelsior. 
Pax Yobiseum. 
Piece of Bunting, A. 
Prodigal Son, The. 
Psalm XXIII. 
"Psalm XXIV. 
Rainy Day, The. 
Re^ef of Lucknow, The. 
Revolutionary Rising, The 
Scrooge and Ivlarley. 
Smack in School, The. 
Song of the Winter Winds. 
Song Revels. 

Spartacus to the Gladiators, 
To a Christmas Pudding. 
To Whom shall we Giv# 

Thanks ? 
Tragedy, A. 
Uncle Pete's Counsel to th« 

Newly Married. 
Waif, A. 
Why He Wouldn't Sell tfw 

Farm. 
William Tell. 
Will the New Year Coma 

To-Night ? 
Woman's Rights. 
Your Mission. 
Fou Put no Flowers on mf 

Papa's Grave. 



CONTENTS OF No. 2. 



Abigail Becker. 

Altruism. 

Andrew Jackson. 

Arnold Winkelried. 

Barn Window. The. 

Bolls of Shandon, The. 

Bible Reading. 

Blacksmith's Story, The. 

Black Ranald. 

Back Fanshaw's Funeral. 

Cassius against Caesar. 

Cavalry Charge, The. 

Char-co-o-al. 

Charity. 

Christmas Carol, A. 

Darius Green and his Fly- 
ing Machine. 

Death of Eva. 

Deroa?o£ue, The. 

D>*'s Flat, 1856. 

Dutchman's Speech at an 
Institute. A. 

East and the West One, 
The. 

Excelsior. 

Father in Heaven. 

First Appearance in Type. 

Ghosts, The. 

Go It Alone. 



God in History. 

Hamlet's Soliloquy. 

Hezekiah Bedott. 

High Tide; or, The Brides 
of Enderby. 

How Mr. Coville Counted 
the Shingles. 

Isaiah XXXV. 

Johnny's Opinion of Grand- 
mothers. 

Kentucky Philosophy. 

Liberty and Union. 

Loehmvar's Ride. 

Mark Twain and the Inter- 
viewer. 

May Queen — Conclusion, 
The. 

Miss Maloney on the Chi- 
nese Question. 

Minute Men of To. The. 

Mr. Coville on Danburv. 

Month of Mars. The. 

Nature of True Eloquence, 
The. 

New Church Organ. The. 

New Year's Address. A. 

North American Indians. 

Oid Man in the Model 
Church, The. 



Oh* andBlind. 

Old Cl»ck on the Stain, 

The. 
Only a Boy. 
Oratory and tb^ Press. 
Over the Hill to tha Poo& 

house. 
Polish Boy, The. 
Public Dishonesty. 
Puzzled Dutchman, The. 
Red Jacket, The. 
Robinson Crusoe. 
Romance of Nick V** 

Stann, The. * 

Rum's Maniac. 
Schneider Sees Leah. 
Sixty-four and Sixty -five. 
Socrates Snooks. 
Soldier's Reprieve, The. 
Spanish Armada, The. 
Twenty-third Psalm, The. 
Washington ns a Civilian. 
Where Shall the Baby's 

Dimple be ? 
j Wolsey's Fall. 
j Yarn of the Nancy Bed- 

The. 
YouDg Scholar, The- 



Prop. J. M. Gillam, a Prominent Instructor in Elocution, says :— "I have 
used the numbers of Best Selections for years, and have found in them 
the best collection of standard pieces, both for my own 
reading and for the use of my pupilo, that I have ever seen," 



CONTENTS OF No. 3. 



A.doon the Lane. 

American Flag, The. 

Baby's First Tooth, The. 

Bardell and Pickwick. 

Baron's Last Banquet, The. 

Battle of Beal' an Duino. 

Blindness. 

Burning Ship, The. 

Charlie Machree. 

Christmas Hymn. 

Claudius and Cynthia. 

Closing Year, The. 

Cynic, The. 

Despair is Never Quite De- 
spair. 

Dutchman's Serenade, The. 

Eagle's Rock, The. 

Evils of Ignorance, The. 

Famine, The. 

Female Gossip. 

Florentine Letter, A. 

From Exile. 

Gladiator, The. 

Goodness and Greatness of 
God. 

Good-Night, Papa. 



Haunted House, The. 

Hypochondriac, The. 

If" I Should Die To-Night. 

Indian Chief to the White 
Settler, The. 

Inquiry, The. 

Jack and Gill. 

Kit Carson's Ride. 

Kitchen Clock, The. 

Laughin' in Meetin.' 

Licensed to Sell; or, Little 
Blossom. 

Lides to Bary Jade. 

Little Goldenhair. 

Lost and Found. 

Maud Muller. 

Monster Cannon, The. 

National Monument to 
Washington. 

Negro Prayer. 

Ode on the Passions. 

Old Forsaken School-house, 
The. 

Painter of Seville, The. 

Parrhasius and the Cap- 
tive. 



Parting Hymn. 

Passing Away. 

Poor Little Jim. 

Power of Habit, The. 

Promise, The. 

Pulpit Oratory. 

Reaching the Early Tnu&< 

Reply to Mr. Corry. 

Reverie in Church. 

Rock of Ages. 

Senator's Dilemma, The. 

Seven Ages of Man. 

Signs and Omens. 

Song of Moses. 

Song of the Sea. 

Tell on his Native Hills. 

Three Fishers, The. 

Tom Sawyer's Love Aff»l» 

Trust in God. 

Two Glasses, The. 

Vagabonds, The. 

Waiting for the Childre*. 

Wax-Work. 

Welcome to Summer, A. 

Woman. 



CONTENTS OF No. 



A Man's a Man for a' That. 

Age. 

Angels of Buena Vista, The. 

Annuity, The. 

Appeal to the Sexton for 
Air, An. 

Aunt Kindly. 

Baggage-Smasher, Ye. 

Battle of Bunker's Hill, The 

Battle of Lookout Moun- 
tain, The. 

Battle Hymn of the Repub- 
lic. 

Black Horse and his Rider, 
The. 

Bridal Wine Cup, The (Di- 
alogue). 

Burning Prairie, The. 

Cause of Temperance, The. 

Centennial Oration. 

Christmas Sheaf, The. 

Clarence's Dream. 

Columbia's Centennial Par- 
ty (Dialogue). 

Columbia. 

Contentment. 



Curfew Must Not Ring To- 
Night. 

Deacon Munroe's Story. 

Dead Church, The. 

Declaration of Independ- 
ence. 

Dora. 

Dot Lambs vot Mary Haf 
Got. 

Faith and Reason. 

Fire, The. 

Gambler's Wife, The. 

Ghost, The. 

Grandmother's Story. 

Great Beef Contract, The. 

How a Married Man Sews 
on a Button. 

Judge Pitman on Various 
Kinds of Weather. 

Kentucky Belle. 

Leap- Year Wooing, A. 

Love Your Neighbor as 
Yourself. 

Maiden's Last Farewell, 
The. 

Mark Antony Scene (Dia- 

t logue). 



4. 

Modest Wit, A. 

Negro Prayer, A. 

No God. 

Ode to ihe Deity. 

Ode to Independence Hall, 
An. 

Ode to the Legislature. 

Our Own. 

Quarrel of Squire Bull and 
his Son Jonathan, The. 

Rationalistic Chicken, The. 

Raven, The. 

Remember Now thy Cre- 
ator. 

Rest. 

Revelation XXII. 

Rienzi's Address. 

Rival Speakers, The (Dia- 
logue). 

Spirit of 76 (Tableau). 

Tommy Taft. 

Tribute to Washington. 

Union, The. 

What the Old Man Said. 1 

Yankee's Stratagen*- Thfc 
(Dialogue). 



From the Transcript, Portland, Maine. 
"These selections evince correct taste and furnish the amateui 
yeader and the professional elocutionist with the widest range 
of subjects for occasions on which matters of that kind may be 
needed." 



Ager, The. 

Ail that Glitters is not Gold 
(Dialogue). 

Archie Dean. 

Bannock-Burn. 

Betty Lee. 

Brave at Home, The. 

Bride of the Greek Isle. 

Brook, The. 

Budge's Version of the 
Flood. 

Catiline's Defiance. 

Centennial Hymn. 

Comin' Tiuo' the Rye (Ta- 
bleau). 

Competing Railroads, The 
(Dialogue). 

Corinthians, I, XV. 

Course of Love too Smooth. 

Dedication of Gettysburg 
Cemetery. 

Elder Mr. Weller's Senti- 
ments on Literary Com- 
position. 

Fairy-Land. 

Fashionable Singing. 

Flood of Years, The. 

Good Reading, 

Hans and Fritz. 



CONTEXTS OF No. 5. 

He Giveth His Beloved 
Sleep. 

Heroes of the Land of 
Penn. 

How we Hunted a Mouse. 

John and Tibbie's Dispute. 

Labore est Orare. 

Last Hymn, The. 
! Leak in the Dyke, The. 

Listeners Hear no Good of 
Themselves (Tableau). 

Lost and Found. 

Magdalena, or, The Span- 
ish Duel. 

Maiden Martyr, The. 

Man Wants but Little Here 
Below. 

Man's Ingratitude. 

Membranous Croup and the 
McWilliamses, 

Moral Effects of Intemper- 
ance. 

Morning. 

My Trundle-Bed. 

Old Irousides. 

Once Upon a Time. 

Only a Baby. 

Over the Hills and Far 
Away. 



Artemus Ward's London 
Lecture. 

Asleep at the Switch. 

Ave Maria. 

Battle of Ivry, The. 

Bob-o'-link. 

Bridge of Sighs, The. 

Brother Anderson's Ser- 
mon. 

Cane-Bottomed Chair, The. 

Children's Hour, The. 

Cool Reason (Dialogue) 

.Dagger Scene. The. 

*)ay at Xiagara, A. 

Oeserted House, The. 

Doctor Marigold. 

Dukite Snake, The. 

Easter Morning. 

Edith Helps Things Along. 

Eve and the Serpent. 

Cxtract from " The Last 
Days of Herculaneum." 



CONTENTS OF No. 6. 

Father Phil's Collection. 
From the Tragedy of King 

John (Dialogue). 
Fruits of Labor, The. 
Getting Under Way. 
Gradatim. 

Green-Mountain Justice. 
Hard Shave, A (Tableau). 
Hatchet Story. 
Ho ! Every One that Thirst- 

eth! 
Home Song. 
Jane Conquest. 
Jennie M'Neal'a Ride. 
Little Allie. 
Malibran and the Young 

Musician, 
Mary Stuart (Dialogue). 
My Country, 'tis of Thee. 
Nae Luck Aboct the House. 
Niagara. 



Parthenia (Dialogue). 

Prisoner of Chillon, The. 

Prince Henry and Falsta^ 
(Dialogue). 

Puritans, The. 

Ready for a Kise. 

Regret. 

Samantha Smith becomes 
Josiah Allen's Wife. 

Saracen Brothers (Dia- 
logue). 

Schoolmaster's Guests, The. 

Song of Birds. 

Swell's Soliloquy, The. 

Southland. 

Summer Friends. 

Swallowing a Fly. 

To a Skull. 

Tramp. Tramp, Tramp. 

True Contentment. 

Uncle Daniel's Introduc- 
tion to a Jk/'ssissippi 
Steamer. 

Vaudois Missionary, The. 

Where is Papa To-Night ? 

Why Biddie and Pat Mar- 
ried. 



Old Sergeant, The. 

Oratory. 

Organ Creations. 

Palmetto and the Pine, The. 

Professor Puzzled, Th* 

(Dialogue). 
Relentless Time. 
Satan and the Grog-selle* 
School " Called." 
Song of the Crickets, The. 
Songs in the Night. 
St. John the Aged. 
Thanatopsi3. 
Thanksgiving, A. 
To a Friend. 
Tom. 

Tribute to East Tennessee* 
Valley Forge. 
Washington (Tableau). 
Zekle. 



■?rof. George P. Beard, a Distinguished Educator, says : " Best Setec* 
iions are largely used by students for choice selections for public 
recitation and class reading. They are admirably adapted 
fcothe practical worls: of elocution." 



American War, Tha. 

Auld Lang Syne. 

Books. 

Builders, The. 

Care of God, The. 

Crescent and the Cross,The. 

Cuddle Doon. 

Daisy's Faith. 

Death of the Old Year, The. 

Death of Nelson, The. 

Death of the Old Squire. 

Early Christmas Morning. 

Fair Play for Women. 

Farmer's Life, The. 

Glove and the Lions, The. 

Gray Honors the Blue, The. 

Hamlet, Act II, Scene 2 
(Dialogue). 

Hannah Binding Shoes. 

Henry the Fifth at Har- 
fleur. 

How Tom Sawyer White- 
washed his Fence. 



CONTENTS OF No. 7. 

Leper, The. 

Light-house May. 

Lochiel's Warning (Dia- 
logue). 

Longing. 

Masters of the Situation. 

Master's Touch, The. 

Marco Bozzaris. 

Milking-Time. 

Mine Katrine. 

Model Discourse, A. 

Mont Blanc before Sunrise. 

My Minde to Me a King- 
dom Is. 

Night after Christmas, The. 

Night before Christmas. 

Old Grimes. 

Old Robin. 

Our Minister's Sermon. 

Our Traveled Parson. 

Owl Critic, The. 

Parody, A. 

Paradise. 



Paul before King Agrippsv 

Reflections on Weutminstet:- 
Abbey. t 

Royal Princess, A. 

Saving Mission of Infancy,, 
The. 

Selling the Farm. 

Sheriff Thome. 

Ship of Faith, The. 

Sister and I. 

South Wind, The. 

Surly Tim's Trouble. 

Tableaux from Cotter's Sat- 
urday Night. 

That Hired Girl. 

Tired Mothers. 

Tom's Little Star. 

Village Blacksmith, The. 

Voice in the Twilight, The, 

Widow Brown's Christmas. 

Woman'sRights(Dialogue)* 

Wounded Soldier, The. 



After Death. 

American Specimen, An. 

Arrow and the Song, The. 

Bald-headed Man, The. 

Bay Biliy. 

Beecher on Eggs. 

Better in the Morning. 

Bessie Kendrick's Journey. 

Blue Sky Somewhere. 

Carl. 

Cnai-acter of Washington. 

Child Musician, The. 

Christmas Carol, A. 

Coney Island Down der 

Pay. 
i)efence of Lucknow, The. 
^migrant's Story, The. 
Enoch Arden. 
Everlasting Memorial, The. 
Fire-Bell's Story, The. 
£*irst Quarrel, The. 
Jlran'ma Al'as Does. 
Harvesters, The (Tableau). 
Iter Letter. 



CONTENTS OF No. 8. 

How Ruby Played. 

In the Garret. 

International Episode, An. 

King's Missive, 16G1, The. 

Leap Year in the Village 
with One Gentleman (Di- 
alogue). 

Lesson, The. 

Little Feet. 

Monk in His Cell, A (Ta- 
bleau). 

Mrs. MacWilliams and the 
Lightning. 

Nations and Humanity. 

Nebuchadnezzar. 

"N" for Nannie and"B" 
for Ben. 

Nun at her Devotions, A 
(Tableau). 

Old Folks. 

Ophelia (Tableau). 

Order for a Picture, An. 

Over the Hill from the 
Poorhouse. 



Peace in God. 
Philosophy of Laughter. 
Practical Young Woman. 
Psalm XC. 
Reckoning with the 014 

Year. 
Reply to Hayne. 
Re.3t. 

Rivals, The (Dialogue). 
Scene from Leah the For« 

saken. 
Setting a Hen. 
Sioux Chiefs Daughter. 
Slander. 

Song of Steam, The. 
Stage -Struck (Dialogue), 
Statue in Clay, The. 
Tale of the Yorkshire Coast 
Temperance Question, The. 
Tli ere' s No Rose Without c 

Thorn (Tableau). 
Undi*e (Tableau). 
Vashti. 



"This series is designed as a receptacle into which shall fall year by 
year the newest and best readings of the elocutionists of the 
country. A few of the old standard pieces are always intermixed with 
the newest, thus making Best Selections a compact ancl eon= 
vetilent manual and a thing of merit."— Intelligencer, hoyledown, 
Pa. 



CONTENTS OF No. 9. 



Aged Stranger, The. 

Awfully Lovely Philosophy. 

Baby's Visitor. 

Baby's Kiss, The. 

Bertha in the Lane. 

Births. Mrs. Meeks, of a 
Son. 

Brier Rose. 

Bumboat Woman's Story. 

Child on the Judgment- 
Seat, The. 

Christmas Ballad, A. 

Combat between Fitz- James 
and Roderick Dhn (Dia- 
logue). 

Connor. 

Death of Minnehaha (Ta- 
bleau). 

Fisherman's Wife, The. 

First Party, The. 

Gipsy Fortune-Teller (Ta- 
bleau). 

Hamlet, Act III, Scene 4 
(Dialogue). 



Henry Fifth's Wooing (Dia- 
logue). 

Horatius. 

Ideal, The. 

I Was with Grant. 

Lady of Lyons, Scene from 
(Dialogue). 

Last Prayer of Mary, Queen 
of Scots. 

Lookout Mountain. 

Master Johnny's Next-Door 
Neighbor. 

Maud Muller (Tableau). 

Mine Yamily. 

Mrs. Walker's Betsy. 

Mrs. Ward's Visit to the 
Prince. 

National Ensign, The. 

Only. 

Palace of the King, The. 

Paul at Athens. 

Potency of English Words. 

Pwize Spwing Poem. 

Queen Mary, Act V, Scene 
5 (Dialogue). 



River, The. 

Rover's Petition. 

Sailing of King Olaf, The* 

Sam's Letter. 

School Begins To-Day. 

Selling the Farm. 

Sometime. 

Song of the Camp, The. 

St. George and the Drag, 

on. 
Terpsichore in the Flat 

Creek Quarters. 
Then and Now. 
Thoughts for a New- Year. 
Tribute to Washington. 
Truth of Truths, The. 
Unnoticed and UnhonoreJ 

Heroes. 
White Squall, The. 
Widow and her Son, The. 
William Goetz. 
World, The. 
Words of Strength. 
Yorkshire Cobbler, The. [ 



CONTENTS OF No. 10. 



Be as Thorough as You Can. 

Balaklava. 

Blind Lamb, Th«. 

Caught in the Quicksand. 

Chimney's Melody, The. 

Chickainauga. 

Despair. 

Drifting. 

Dick Johnson's Picture. 

Death of Roland, The. 

Dot Baby off Mine. 

Eulogy on Garfield. 

Frenchman on Macbeth. 

Herve Riel. 

Irrepressible Boy, The. 

Job XXVIII. 

Jamie. 

Law of Death, The. 

Little Rocket's Christmas. 

Larrie O'Dee. 

Little Dora's Soliloquy. 

Last Charge of Ney. 

Lost Found, The. 



Mick Tandy's Revenge. 

Macbeth and the Witches 
(Dialogue). 

Mother of the Grachii, The 
(Tableau). 

Nay, I'll Stay with the Lad. 

New England's Chevy- 
Chase. 

Old Year and the New, The. 

Phantom Ship, The. 

Quarrel between Sir Peter 
and Lady Teazle (Dia- 
logue). 

Rev. Gabe Tucker's Re- 
marks. 

Railway Matinee, A. 

Rizpah. 

Reveries of a Bachelor (Ta- 
bleau). 

Reminiscences of Exhibi- 
tion Day. 

Shriving of Guinevere, The. 

Schoolmaster Beaten, The. 



Sympathy. 

Sky, The. 

School Statistics. 

Scene from Damon and 
Pythias (Dialogue). 

Snow-Birds (Tableau). 

Tilghman's Ride. 

Theology in the Quarters. 

To the Survivors of the Bat* 
tie of Bunker Hill. 

Till Death Us Join. 

Tammy's Prize. 

Tragedy, The. 

True Story of Little Bey 
Blue, The. 

Two Blind Beggars (T». 
bleau). 

Village Choir, The (Ta- 
bleau). 

Washington Hawkins Dines 
with Col. Sellers. 

Wayside Inn, The. 



Dr. J. H. Luther, a prominent educator of the South, says : " I regard 
Jhis series as the i>est published, for this department of college 
study. The Annuals are specially valuable as sustaining llie 
'Interest of tlie pupil and widening her knowledge of our nest 
authors." 



CONTENTS OF No. 11 



Apos' jphe to the Ocean. 
Arctic Aurora, An. 
Ballet Girl, The. 
Bobolink, The. 
Catchirg the Colt 
Child Martyr, The. 
Clown's Baby, The. 
Convict's Soliloquy, the 

Night before Execution, 
Death of Little Dombey. 
Decoration Day. 
Dutchman's Snake, The. 
Echo and the Ferry. 
Execution of Queen Mary. 
Finished. 

Flash— the Fireman's Story 
Foxes'Tails ; or, SandyMac- 

Donald's Signal, The. 
Freckled-faced Girl, The. 
Front Gate, The. 
Froward Duster, The. 
Garfield at the Wheel. 
Grandmother's Apology, 
Her Name. 
Jerry. 



Joan of Arc at the Stake 
(Tableau)*. 

Knowledge and Wisdom. 

Life's Loom. 

Lisping Lover, The, 

Little Boy's Valentine, A. 

Little Gottlieb's Christ- 
mas. 

Mice at Play. 

Model American Girl, 
The. 

Modern Facilities for Evan- 
gelizing the World. 

Mona's Waters. 

Naomi and Her Daughters- 
in-law (Tableau). 

New Slate, The. 

Nicodemus Dodge. 

No Kiss. 

Old Year and the New, 
The. 

One Flower for Nelly. 

Parson's Fee ; or, The Bag 
of Beans, The (Tableau). 

Possible Consequences of a 



Comet Striking the Ear % 
in the Pre-glacial Period 

Prospects of the Republic. 

Quedn Vashti's Lament. 

Rock Me to Sleep. 

Romance of a Hammock. 

Shadow of Doom, The. 

Song of the Mystic. 

Speeches of Zenobia and 
her Council (Dialogue). 

Sunday Fishin'. 

Supposed Speech of John 
Adams. 

Telephonic Conversation,A. 

This Side and That. 

Thora. 

Ticket o' Leave. 

Trial of Fing Wing (Dia- 
logue). 

Tribute to Sir Walter Scott. 

Wedding of Shon Maciear. 

Where's Annette ? 

Winter in the Lap of 
Spring (Tahleau). 

Wonders of Genealogy, The # 



CONTENTS OF No. 13. 



Aunty Doleful's Visit. 
Aux Italiens. 

Ballad of Cassandra Brown. 
Battle Flag at Shenandoah. 
Bell of Zanora, The. 
Bells, The. 

Bells Across the Snow. 
Beyond the Mississippi. 
Bishop's Visit, The. 
Blind Poet s Wife, The. 
Book Canvasser, The. 
Brother's Tribute, A. 
Convention of Realistic 

Readers. 
Country School, The. 
Discontentment. 
<3ude, The. 

Daelist's Victory, The. 
Earnest Views of Life. 
Easter - Tide Deliverance, 

A. D. 439. 
Engineers Making Love. 
Fall of Pemberton Mill. 
Felon's Cell, A. 
Fly's Cogitations, A. 



God's Love to Man. 

Good-Bye. 

Grace of Fidelity, The. ' 

How Girls Study. 

How the Gospel came to 

Jim Oaks. 
Industry Necessary to the 

Attainment of Eloquence. 
Innocence. 

Interviewing Mrs. Pratt. 
I would'na Gie a Copper 

Plack. 
Jesus, Lover of my Soul. 
Jimmy Brown's Steam 

Chair. 
Lasca. 

Legend of the Beautiful. 
Life's Story. 
Lincoln's Last Dream. 
Luther. 

Magic Buttons. 
Maister an' the Bairns, The. 
Malaria. 

Man's Mortality. 
Mine SchUuhood. 



Newsboy's Debt, The. 

Old Book, That. 

Old Letter. 

Over the Orchard Fenca» 

Pantomime, A. 

Poor-House Nan. 

Popular Science Catechism, 

Power of the Tongue, The. 

Psalm Book in the Garret. 

Receiving Calls. 

Santa Claus in the Mines. 

Serenade, The. 

She Cut his Hair. 

Skeleton's Story, The. 

Story of Chinese Love, A. 

Tarrytown Romance, A 

Teddy McGuire and Padd£ 

O'Flynn. 
Temperance. 
Ter'hle 'Sperience, A. 
Tjtal Annihilation. 
Trying to be Literarj. 
Wave, The. 
Wendell Phillfpa. 
Yosemite. 



"The pieces in Pest .sections r-reFcr.t a very pleading 
variety in style and stiirpect, and afford a convenient 
little volume from which to make selections for readings and recita- 
tions." — Burlington Haickeye. 



CONTEXTS OF No. 13, 



Abbess's Story, The. 

After-Dinner Speech by a 
Frenchman. 

Ancient Miner's Story, The. 

Aristarchus Studies Elocu- 

At Last. [tion. 

Aunt Betsy and Little Da- 
vy (Dialogue). 

Aunt Polly's " George 
Washington. " 

Banford's Burglar- Alarm. 

Better Things. 

Canada. 

Chase, The. 

Child's Dream of a Star, A. 

Chopper's Child, The. 

Cloud, The. 

Devotion (Tableau). 

Diana (Tableau). 

Ego et Echo. 

Elijah and the Prophets of 
Baal. 

Griffith Eammerton. 

Humblest of the Earth- 
Children, The. 

In the Signal-Box, a Sta- 
tion Master's Story. 



Jehoshaphafs Deliverance. 

Lady Bohesia, The. 

Landlord's Tisit, The. 

Little Quaker Sinner, The. 

Lead the Way. 

Legend of the Organ- 
Builder, The. 

Let the Angels Bing the 
Bells. 

Literary Becreations. 

Lord Dundreary in the 
Country. 

Marit and I. 

Mary's Night Bide. 

Marry me, Darlint, To- 
night. 

Memorial Day. 

Methodist Class Meeting, A. 

Mine Shildren. 

Mother and Poet. 

Murder of Thomas a Beck- 
et (Dialogue). 

New Cure for Bhumatism. 

New Year; or, Which W ay? 

Old Continentals, The. 

Old Man Goes to Town, 
The. 



Only. 

On the Stairway. 

Out K> Old Aunt Mary's. 

Our Belations to England. 

Playful (Acting Charade). 

Playing School. 

Public Speech. 

Begulus to the Carthagen- 
ians. 

Bhymlet, A. 

Smoke of Sacrifice, The. 

Song of the American Ea- 
gle. 

Spring Poet, The. 

Statuary (Tableau). 

Tableaux from Hiawatha, 
with Beadings. 

Three Graces, The (Ta* 
bleau). 

Tribute to Longfellow, A. 

Two Stammerers, The. 

Union Forever, The (Ta« 
bleau). 

" Uncle Ben/' 

T-a-s-e, The. 

Yosemite, The. 

Zarafi. 



CONTENTS OF No. 14. 



Are these God's Children? | 

Artist's Dream, The (Tab- 
bleau). 

Ballad of the Wicked Neph- 
ew. 

Battle of Morgarten. 

Be a Woman. 

Bill and Joe. 

Brudder Yerkes's Sermon. 

Child is Father to the Man. 

Child's Thought of God, A. 

Columbus before Ferdinand 
and Isabella (Tableau). 

Contrast, A. 

Cow and the Bishop, The. 

Crazv Nell 

Culprit, A. 

Daniel Gray. 

Day is Done. The. 

Death of Steerforth, The. 

Dostiny of America. 

Domestic Economy. 

Don't be Mean. Boys. 

Doubting Heart. A. 

Drummer Boy of Mission 
Ridge. Tie.' 

"Extract from a Eizlogy on 
General Grant. 

Finding of the Cross, The. 

Gettysburg. 

3od's Anvil. 

Ocing for the Cows. 



Grade's Kitty. 

Great Issue, The. 

Head and the Heart, The. 

Her Laddie's Picture. 

Ho, Boat Ahoy ! 

Incompatibility (Charade). 

Jimmy Brown's Sister's 

June. [Wedding. 

Jupiter and Ten. 

King Harold's Speech to his 
Army before the Battle of 
Hastings. 

Lady Judith's Vision. The. 

Last Charge of Nev, The. 

Lifeboat, The, 

Light that is Felt. The. 

Military Supremacy Dan- 
gerous to Liberty.' 

Miseries of War, The. 

Mither's Knee, A. 

Model Woman, The. 

Money Musk. 

Mother's Portrait. A. 

Mr. Winkle Puts on Skates. 

Nearer Home. 

Night- Watch. The. 

Old Homestead. The. 

Origin of Scandal. The. 

Orlando's Wooing (Dia- 
logue). 

Pleasant Acquaintance, A. 
(Tableau). 



Pockets. 

Psalm XCY. 

Puritan, The. 

Romance of the Rood-Lofl. 

Romance of the Swan'sNes* 

School-Boy on Corns, A. 

Second Trial, A. 

Self-Culture. 

Ship of State, The. 

Sing a Song a Sixpence. 

Sister Agatha's Ghost. 

Smile and the Sigh. The. 

Soldier's Home, Washing- 

• ton, The. 

Stolen Bird's Nest, The (Ta- 
bleau). 

Story Kathie Told. The. 

Sweetest Picture, The. 

Tear of Repentance, A. 

Tender Heart, The. 

Thoughts for the New 
Year 

Three Leaves from a Bov's 
Diary. 

To tho Desmnding. 

Twentv S.eoud of Febro* 
ary, The. 

Victor of Marengo, The. 

What we Did with the Cow, 
; Widow Ctimmiskey, The. 
i Woman's Power. 
1 Ulysses. 



CONTENTS OF DUMBER IS. 



America. 

^.nne Boleyn's Rejection 
of Henry VIII. 's First 
Gift (Tableau). 

J-Jachelors, The. 

Balaam's Parables. 

£artholdi Statue, The. 

Beautiful Hands. 

becalmed. 

burial of the Old Flag. 

Brave Aunt Katy. 

Children, The. 

Childhood's Scenes. 

Christmas Guest, The. 

City of Is, The. 

Commerce. 

Concord Love Song, A. 

David's Lament for Absa- 
lom. 

Death of Jezebel, The. 

Der Oak und Der Vine. 

Discovering a Leak (Tab- 
leau). 

Doubtful Bank Note, The 
(Tableau). 

Fading Leaf, The. 

Fall In ! 1860. 

Flag of the Rainbow. 

G.'den Bridge, The. 

Grant's Place in History. 

Gray Champion, The. 



Guessing Nationalities. 

Heart's Resolve, The (Tab- 
leau). 

i Church — During the 
Litany. 

In the Children's Hospital. 

Ireland To Be Ruled by 
Irishmen. 

Jem's Last Ride. 

King Arthur and Guine- 
vere. 

Kiss Deferred, The. 

La Tour D'Auvergne. 

Little Christel. 

Little Foxes. 

Little Maid with Lovars 
Twain. 

Lullaby Song. 

Manhood. 

Month of Apple Blossoms, 
The. 

Midsummer. 

Moral Courage. 

Mouse Trap, The (A 
Farce) 

Mr. Beecher and the 
Waifs. 

Mrs. Pickett's Missionary 
Box. 

Music in Camp. 

Niagara Falls. 



On Eloquence. 

Old Roundsman's Slot?, 

Ov.t Choir. 

Ot.r First Experience ^HI 

a Watch Dog. 
People's Song of Peace. 
Perfectly, s.w fully, lovelj 

Story, A. 
Price of a Drink, The. 
Proof Positive. 
She Wanted to Hear % 

Again. 
Skipper Ben. [_Act. 

Speech Against the Stamf 
Squire's Bargain, The. 
Song for the Conquered, ti 
Story of an Apple, A. 
Strange Experience, A. 
Three Kings, The. 
Three Meetings. 
Tragedy on Pasi Partr 

ciples, A. 
Two Dutiful Daughters (A 

Colloquy). 
Two Runaways, The. 
Vanity. 
Village Post Office. Thi 

(Tableau). 
Watch Night. 
What of That? 
I Wurid We Live In, The. 



CONTENTS OF No 16 



^Esthetic Craze, The. 

All Hollow. 

Angel and the Shepherds, 

The. 
Another Year. 
Appeal for Liberty, An. 
Baby in Church. 
Back from the War. 
Bad Piayers. 
Battle Hymn, The. 
Better than the Miser's 

Gold. 
"Calls." 

Chariot Race, The. 
Christening, The. 
Cicely Croak. 
Curse to Labor, The. 
Day of Judgment, The. 
Death of Napoleon, The. 
Decoration Day. 
Elf Child, The. 
First View of the Heavens, 

The. 
Fraudulent Party Outcries. 
From the Shore of Eternity. 
General Grant's English. 
Ginevra. 
BrAut's Strategy. 



House that was Just like its 

Neighbors, The. 
How the Celebrated Mil- 

tiades Peterkin Paul got 

the Better of Santa Claus. 
Invitation to the Zoological 

Gardens, An. 
Ivy Green, The. 
" I Wouldn't, Would You ?" 
"Jefful, The." 
Jimmy Hoy. 

Legend of the Earth, The. 
Lily Servosse's Ride. 
Lincoln. 
Lost Child, The. 
Medley, A. 

Message of the Dove, The. 
Miriam's Song. 
Mourner a la Mode, The. 
New South, The. 
Old Fireplace, The. 
Old Man and Jim, The. 
Old Story, The. 
Old Sweetheart of Mine, An. 
Pennsylvanian's Lament, 

The. 
Pin, A. 
Place of the Imagination in 



the Art of Expression, 

The. 
Portrait, The. 
Praying for Shoes. 
Seho-d Boys' Strike, The. 
Self-Life. 
Skipper's Love, The ; or, tht 

Tide will Turn. 
Song of the Mountaineers. 
Stratford Fountain. 
Swan Song, The. 
Tell-Tale Heart, The. 
That Waltz of Von Weber 
Thanksgiving in Boston 

Harbor, The. 
Topsey's First Lesson. 
Toussaint L'Ouverture, 
Two Pictures, The. 
Two Queens in Westma 

ster. 
Uncle, The. 
Wasted. 

Water Lily, The. 
Water and Rum. 
What She Said. 
While we May. 
Wisdom Dearly Purchased 
Wonderful Country, The. 



CONTENTS OF No. 17, 



lander's Feast ; or, The 
Power of Mnsic. 

Arniy of the Potomac. 

Anny of the Potomac, The 

Aunt Mellissy on Boys. 

Aunt Sylvia's First Lesson 
in Geography. 

Beautiful in Creation, The. 

B -iat Race, The. 

Bonnie "Wee Erie. 

Bravest Battle that Ever 
was Fought, The. 

Carcassonne. 

Colloquial Powers of Dr. 
Franklin. 

Courting and Science. 

Cumnor Hall. 

Dead Grenadier, Tlie. 

Dead March, The. 

Dead on the Field of Honor. 

Death of Jefferson. The. 

Easter Morning. 

First Thanksgiving, The. 

Garfield Statue, The. 

Heavenly Guest, The. 

How we Fought the Fire. 

Ignorance a Crime in a Re- 
public. 

inge, the Boy King. 



Jimmy Brown's Prompt 

Obedience. 
John Burns of Gettysburg. 
Knight and the Pag-, The. 
Labor. 
Labor. 

Land of Thus and So, The. 
Legend of Rabbi Ben Levi, 

The. 
Lexington. 

Little Match Girl, The. 
Lord Duudreary's Riddles. 
Lost. 

Lave of Country. 
Low-Backed Car, The. 
Minuet, The, 
Miss Witchazel and Mr. 

Thistlepod. 
Monks' Magnificat, The. 
Mother-in-Law, The. 
Mr. Brown has His Hair Cut. ! 
My Wife is a Woman of j 

Mind. 
Nurse Winnie Goes Sliop- | 

ping. 
One Xiche the Highest. 
On the Ice. 
Our Flag. 
Penn's Monument. 



Poot and the Rich, The. 
Ride of Collins Graves, T*% 
Riding to the Tournament, 

The. 
Rome and Carthage. 
Rover in Church. 
Rustic Bridal, The : or. The 

Blind Girl of Castel Cuiile 
Scientific Genesis, The. 
Sent Back by the Angels 
Several Cats. 
Silver Plate, The. 
Single Head of Wheat, The 
Starless Crown, The. 
Story of John Maynard. 
To Barbary Land. 
Took Nodice. . 
Upward and Onward. 
Usual Way, The. 
Vane on the Spire, The, 
Victuals and Drink. 
Vow of Washington, The. 
Walpole's Attack on Pitt, 
What is a Minority? 
What Men Have not Foughi 

For. 
When I Mean to Marry. 
When I Was Young. 
Wild Night at Sea, A. 



CONTENTS OF No. 



Absolution. 
Abigail Fisher. 
After the Wedding. 
Appeal for Temperance. 
At the Stage Door. 
Auctioneer's Gift, The. 
Ballot Reform. 
Bad Boy's Diary, A. 
Blind Man's Testimony, 

The, 
Captain's Well, The. 
Charity Grinder and the 

Postmaster-General. 
Christmas Week. 
Cowboy's Sermon, The. 
Come and be Shone. 
D uiiel Periton's Ride 
Offence of the Bride, The. 
Death Bridge of the Tav, 

The. 
*Urunkard's Daughter, The. 
Fame, Wealth, Life, Death. 
Fashionable. 
Famished Heart, A. 
For All Who die. 
Gets Dhere. 
Good, The. 



j Golden Rain. 

j Grand Old Day, The. 

Home in the Government, 
The, 

How Ben Fargo 's Claim was 
Jumped. 

Indirection, 

Imph-m. 

Infant's Dream. 

John of Mt. Sinai. 

Little Charlie's Christmas. 

Little Maid's Sermon, The. 

Little Leafs Sacrifice. 

Lord's Prayer in Vei'se. 

Man in the Moon. The. 

Message, A. 

Monk's Prayer, The. 

Naming the Baby, 

Nature of Man, The. 

Nathan Hale, the Martyr 
Spy. 

New Year's Hymn. 

New Series of Census Ques- 
tions, A. 

Noses. 

O'Grady's Goat. 

On the Ekiff. 



18. 

Opportunities of the Scholar 

Out of the Way. 

Our beloved Dead. 

Packet of Letters, A. 

Pilgrims, The. 

Relenting Mob. A. 

Robert Browning. 

She Washed for Him. 

She Liked Him Rale Wed 

Something Great. 

Spirits of Fire, The. 

Spacially Jim. 

Squarest un Among 'Em. 

St. Martin and the Beggar 

Taste. 

Through the Dark Forest. 

Timothy Horn. 
! Tobe's Monument. 
I To a Waterfowl. 
i Two Christmas Eves. 

Volunteer Organist. 

Was I to Blame? 

Wanted to see His OiA 
Home. 

Wakin' the Young Uns. , 

Whistling Beeiment. 

Women's Dispositions. 



CONTENTS OF No. i9. 



Address to the Toothache. 
Amateur Photography. 
American Exile, An. 
Ballad of the Bird-Bride. 
Ballad of the Wayfarer, 

The. 
Beautiful Mind, The. 
Beware! 

Bridget O'Flannagan. 
Bylo Land. 

Camping and Campers. 
Cold, Hard Cash. 
Courting in Kentucky. 
Daddy Benson and the 

Fairies. 
Dinner Discussion, A. 
Divided. [A. 

Doctor's Diploma in Court, 
Doctor's Story, The. 
Dream of Fair Women, A. 
Drop of Water, The. 
Dumb Savior, The. 
Everlasting No, The. 
Gettin' On. 
Glazier-Bed, The. 
God's-Acre. 

Grown-Up Birthday, A. 
Her Laugh — In Four Fits. 
Horse Auctioneer, The. 
Boss; 
How Big Was Alexander, 

Fa! 



| How Uncle Podger Hung a 
' Picture. 
In de Mornin'. 
In Swanage Bay. 
Is It Worth While? 
Jacqueminot Kose Sunday, 

A. 
Jim, Arizona, 1885. 
Joe Sieg. 

Kid Sixey's Christmas. 
King's Daughter, The. 
King Dollar. 
Lady of Shalott, The. 
Last Lesson, The. 
Lecture by the New Male 

Star. 
Life's Sunsets. 
Looking for Bargains. 
Love and Latin. 
Mary Alice Smith. 
Meditations on Immortality. 
Midnight in London. 
Monk's Vision, The. 
Mother's Mending Basket. 
Mr. The. Cibber. 
Muckle-Mouth Meg. 
Noten Like a Patience. 
Oh! the Golden, Glowing 

Morning. 
Outcast, The. 
Palmer, The. 
Princess' Finger-Nail, Tke. 



| Queer Boy, A. 
Reuben James. 
Ride. 

Scotch Jeanie's Story. 
Sermons. 

Sermon in Rhyme, A. 
Siege of the Alamo. 
Song from the Suds. A. 
Summerset Folks, The. 
Sweet Peace is Born. 
Swipesy's Christmas Dinuoi 
Three Voices, The. 
Tired Out. 

Toboggan Slide, The. 
Tola of Mustard Seed, The. 
Tragedy in the Sunshine, A. 
Tray. 
True BQStonian at Heaven's 

Gate, A. 
Twilight at Nazareth. 
Two Church-Builders, The. 
Two Drowned Lovers. 
Two Mysteries, The. 
Unit, A. 

Veiled Statute at Sais, The. 
War-Horn of the Bikings, 

The. 
Wedding of the Moon, The. 
When I Am Weak then J 

Am Strong. 
Yawcob'g Dribulationa. 



At the Masquerade. I Gettin g Letters 

Amateur Flute-Player, I Girl of the Period, A. 



The. 
Arathusa's Torment. 
Art; and Nature. 
Agnes, I Love Thee. 
Sack Where They Used to 

Be. 
Beating a Conductor. 
Beneath Her Window. 
Boy's Story, The. 
Bov and the Frog, The. 
Brudder Gardner on Mu- 
sic. 
Burdock's Music-Box. 
Burglar Alarm, The. 
Candor. 
Consolation Even on £ 

Mixed Train. 
Darnel in the Lions' Den. 
Der Dog und der Lobster. 
Dot Leedle Loweeza. 
Duel between Mr. Shoet 

and Mr. Nott, The. 
Engaged. 
Kthiopiomania. 
Experience with a Refrac- 
tory Cow. 
Farmer Stebbins on 

Rollers. 
First Adventures in Eng- 
land. 
Flood and the Ark, The. 
Fourth of July in Jones- 
ville, 



the 
Got 



f Happy Love. 
J Her No. 

Her Lovers. 

His Sign. 

Hoffenstein's Bugle. 

Honest Deacon, The. 

How Jimmy Tended 
Baby. 

How His Garments 

Turned. 
Idyl of the Period, An. 
Irishman's Panorarna,The 
Jealousy in the Choir. 
Katey's Letter. 
Labor Question, The. 
Load on His Mind, The. 
Love's Seasons. 
Lesson in Tennis, A. 
Love at the Seaside. 
Lightning-Rod Dispenser 
The. 

Man Who Apologized, The. 



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Pat's Letter. 

Pat's Reason. 

Personal. 

Parent with the Hoof, The 

Pharisee and Saddueee. 

Photographs, The. 

Polonius to Laertes— Be. 

newed. 
Pointer's Dyspeptic Goat. 
Poet- Tree. 
Proposal, A. 
Quart of Milk, A. 
School-Day, A. 
She Referred Him to Her 

Pa. 
Similar Case, A. 

Spoopendyke Stops Sroolc- 
ing. 

Timothy Doolan's Will. 
1 Time's Revenge. 
J Time Turns the Tables. 
! Three Lovers, The. 

Trials of a Schoolmistress. 



• r ° m Sawyer Treated fot 
Minister s Gnevances.The. | Lovesickness 
M,ss Mine-va's Disappoint- , Theoloer in the Quarters. 
Umbrella on the Beach. 
j Uncle Tom and the Hoi* 

nets. 
! Uncle Cephas' Yarn. 
;' Victim of Charity, A. 
j What the Choir Sang About 

the New ucnnet. 
Why He Waited k> Laugh. 
' Woman's No, A. 



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Miss Simmons' New Bon 

net. 
Modern Wedding Rites. 
Mrs. Middlerib's Letter. 
My Rival. 
Medley, A. 

Naughty Greek Girl. The. 
Nickerdemus Quadrille. 



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Almost a Mormon. 
Art Critic, The. 
Best Policy, The. 
Bold for the Right. 
Brare Boston Boys. 
Bridget's Investment. 
Changed Housewife, A. 
Christmas Eve Adventure, 

A. 
Contesting for a Prize. 



of Crooked Lane, 



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; Genevra. 
j Ghost 
The 

Gods in Council, The. 

Going to the Dentist's. 

Have a Shine, Sah ? 

Joe Fleming's Thanksgiv- 



1 Opening Address, The. 

Our Country's Wealth. 

Railway Matinee, The, 

Kv.ggles & Co. 

Seizure, The. 

Signing the Pledge. 

Spirit of Liberty, The. 

Ten Famous Womem. 

Trapped. 

T'ncTo Morton's Gift. 



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Annie's Ticket. 
Apples, A Negro Lecture. 
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the Opera. 
Be Content. 



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Book Larnin'. 
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Dat Yaller Gown. 
De Preacher an' De Hants. 
Der Deutscher's Maxim. 
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a Steamboat Case, A*. 
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A.n. 
*ritz and I . 



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Grandpa's Courtship. 

He GuesHf'd He'd Fight. 

How Pat Went Courting. 

Inasmuch. 

Inventor's Wife, The. 

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Kit; or, Faithful Unto 
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Wet Weather Talk. 

When Greek Meets Greek, 

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Widow O'Shanes Rin\ 
The. 

Winnie's Welcome. 

Youra, Truly. 



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Concert Recitations. 

American Flag, The. 

Choice of Trades. 

Going to School. 

Good-Bye. 

Human Body Lesson fcft 

Rhvme. 
I Did It, Not "I Done It.* 
Iron — Silver — Gold. 
Kate's French Lesson. 
Little Foxes and Little 

Hunters. 
Only a Chicken. 
Order. 

Our Delight. 
Our Flag. 
Recitation for Three IiitU 

Girls. 
Song of the Waters. 

Motion Recitations. 

Plaving Carpenter. 

This Way. 

'Tis Spring Time. 

Temperance Recitations* 

Dragon, The. 

Little Drops. 

Little Girl's Declaration. 

Pitcher or Jug. 

Song of the Corn, The. 

Touch it Never. 

Why and Because. 



YOUNG FOLKS' RECITATIONS, 

No. 1. 

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OF 15 YEARS. 
Paper binding, 15 cents ; boards, 25 cents. 



American Flag, The. 
America's Obligations to 

England. 
Antony on the Death of 

Caesar. 
Baby's Soliloquy. 
Battle Bunny — M a 1 v e r n 

Hill. 
Be in Earnest. 
Being a Boy. 
Bird and the Baby, The. 
Blowing Bubbles.' 
Boy's Complaint, The. 
Boys Wanted. 
Boy and the Frog, The. 
Brave and True. 
Brutus on the Death of 

Caesar. 
Child's Wisdom, A. 
Christmas Eve Adventure. 
Cobbler, The. 
Dignitv in Labor. 
Do Right, 
Do Something. 
Do You Know How Many 

Stars ? 
Fnrewell of the Birds. 
Fathers of the Republic, 

The. 
Febrnarv Twentv-second. 
Foolish Harebell, The. 
ftood Deeds. 



Grand Scheme of Emigra- 
tion. 

Grandpapa's Spectacles. 

Homesick. 

Homoeopathic Soup. 

Horse's Petition to His 
Driver, A. 

How Cyrus Laid the Cable. 

Indian Brave, The. 

Johnny the Stout. 

Johnny's Pocket. 

King and the Child, The. 

Knowing the Circum- 
stances. 

Lazv Daisy. 

Little by Little. 

Little Boy's Lament, The. 

Lines to Kate. 

Little Bov's Troubles, A. 

Little Light, The. 

Lost Tommy. 

Loveliness. 

Moon and the Child, The. 

Nature. 

Never Say Fail. 

Nobility of Labor, The. 

Notes from a Battle-Field. 

On Conquering America. 

Only a Baby Small. 

Peaceable Secession. 

Planting Himself to Grow. 

Real Elocution. 



Return from Battle, Th* 

Sin. 

Six O'Clock P. M. 

Solium Fac', A. 

Somebody's Mother. 

Song of the States, A. 

Sour Grapes. 

Speak the Truth. 

Sparkling Bowl, The. 

Squirrel's Lesson, The. 

Stolen Custai-d, The. 
| Success in Life. 
! Suppose. 

Sweet Peas. 

Three Good Doctors. 

Three Little Mushrooms. 

That Calf. 

Tribute to Water, A. 

Two Roads. The, 

Two Commands, The. 

Way to Do It. The. 

War Inevitable. 

What the Wind3 Bring. 

What the Minutes Say. 

What's the Matter? 

When the Frost is on the 
Punkin. 

Where Did You Come from, 
Baby ? 

We Must all Scratch. 

Willie's Breeches. 

Work. 



YOUNG FOLKS' RECITATIONS, 

No. 2. 

For young people of 15 years. 
Paper binding, 15 ets. ; boards, 25 cts. 



Advice to a Young Man. 

Angelic Song, The. 

Apple Seed, The. 

Artie's "Amen." 

Big Shoe, The. 

Christmas Acrostic. 

Christmas. 

Christmas Goose, The. 

City Sportsman, The. 

Contentment. 

Country Thanksgiving, A. 

Daisies. 

Dressed Turkey, The. 

Drinking a Farm. 

Fall Fashions. 

Falling Snow, The. 

Fate of Sin Foo, The; or 

the Origin of the Tea 

Plant. 
First Christmas-Tree in 

New England. 
Fourth of July Record, A. 



George Washington. 

Gossips, The. 

Grandfather's Barn. 

Hilda Spinning. 

His First and Last Drink. 

How the Question Came 
Home. 

In Santa Claus Land. 

John White's Thanksgiv- 
ing. 

Judge Brown's Watermelon 
Story. 

Katrina. 

Kriss Kringle's Visit. 

List of Our Presidents, A. 

Hilly. 

Mr. Nobody. 

Mrs. June's Prospectus. 

Mrs. Piper. 

Months, The 

Nativity, The. 

New Year's Talk, A. 



Old Winter, Esquir* 

Once-on-a-Time. 

Our First Thanksgtrla* 

Day. 
Our Heroes. 
Pardon Complete. 
Playing Drunkard. 
Rhyme of the Year, A. 
Saint Nick. 
Singing Joseph. 
Thanksgiving Story, A. 
Three Kings. The. 
Two Bills, The. 
Two Pilgrims). 
Under the Holly Bougn. 
What Bessie Saw. 
What Became of a Lie. 
Where They Never Feel tk« 

Cold. 
Whistler, The. 
Woman's Curiosity. 
Wonderful Weaver, Th* 



LITTLE PEOPLE'S DIALOGUES, 

For children of 10 years. 
Paper binding, 25 cts. ; boards, 40 cts. 



PART FIRST. 

Almost a Runaway. 
Blue Eyes and Brown Eyes. 
Four Celebrated Characters. 
How Long Before the Snow 

Comes ? 
Like an Indian. 
Morning Chat, A. 
Wot Quite a Bargain. 
jPlaying " Grown Up." 
IRoyal Tarts, The. 
Scene from Mother Goose. 
Search for the Fairies, A. 
Some Very Famous People. 
Three Little Mothers. 
Time and the Seasons. 
Twenty-six of Them. 
Two Kinds of Fun. 



What O'clock ? 
Wreath of Flowers, A. 
PART SECOND. 

Four Winds, The. 
Gifts for All. 
Inquisitive Prince, The. 
King Roughbeard and the 

Princess. 
Only Cooning. 
Record of the Hours, The. 
Some "Arabian Nights' " 

People. 

PART THIRD. 

Christmas- 
Ac Christmas Time. 
Watching for Santa 
Claus. 

12 



What is Christmas ? 
Fourth of July — 

Brother Jonathan's 

Birthday. 
Two ways of Spending 
"The Fourth." 
Thanksgiving Day- 
Being Thankful. 
Perfect Feast, A. 
Washington's Birthday- 
Breaking the Colt. 
Keeping the Birthday. 
Miscellaneous- 
Crowning the May 

Queen. 
First Week of School, 

The. 
Lapt Day of School. Tin 



X'll r »'n- -'nd I C-in't. 



Ttiese i 



YOUNG FOLKS' DIALOGUE. 

For Young People of 15 years. 
Paper binding, 25 cts. ; boards, 40 cts. 
Without exception, this is thd best book of the kind."— Regi9t«* % 



ipringfield, 111. 

Actions Speak Loader than 
Words. 

Auntie Dimpfe. 

Hird'a Funeral, The. 

Hunch of Flowers, A. 

Choosing Vocations. 

Christmas Dialogue, A. 

Counting the Chickens Be- 
fore They Were Hatched. 

tfcnsin Bell's Visit. 

Curiosity, The. 

Doll Show, The. 

Fanay's Seeret. 

Firs\ of April. 



Good Way to Play £ Joke, 

A. 
G-retchen. 
Guess What's in my 

Pocket. 
How the Story G<ew 
Keeping House. 
Lenna's Dream 
Little Helpers. 
Lost Child, The. 
Lost Knife, The. 
Military Discipline. 
Peacemaker, The. 
Playing School. 



j Place for Everything, M«t 
Everything in Its PUtoe 
j Preparing for a Picnic. 
, Rainbow The. 

Rehearsal, The. 

Rule Golden, The, 

Sick Doll, The. 

6. P. C. A., The. 

Through Children's Ey«s 

True Charity. 

United Workmen, The. 

Wax Figures, The. 

Wishes, The. 

Youthful Dissipation. 



YOUNG FOLKS' ENTERTAIN- 
MENTS. 

For Children from 5 to 15 years of age. 

Paper binding, 25 cts. ; boards, 40 cts. 

" It is one of the very best books for entertainment purposes that we 
have seen."— Popular Educator, Boston, Mass. 



Acting Charades. 

Breakfast. 

Idolize. 

Keystone. 

Package. 

Pious. 

Charades in Panto- 
mime. 

Bandage. 

Parent. 
Phantom. 
Rainbow. 
Waylaid. 

Concert Recitations. 
Farm Boy's Song, The. 
Kittens, The. 
Our Flag. 
Our Work. 
Proverbs. 

Dialogues. 
Aunt Kitty's Shopping. 
How the Quarrel Began. 
Illustrated Story, An. 
Masquerading. 
Playing Store. 
Poor Work Don't Pay. 
Tom's Practical Joke. 



Unjust Suspicion. 
Visitors from Story Land. 

Drills. 

Japanese Fan Drill. 
Simple March, A. 
Tambourine Drill. 

Motion Recitations in 
Concert. 

In the Morning. 
Little Housekeepers. 
Looking Ahead. 
We are Four. 

Motion Songs. 
Good Advice. 
Old Time Plays. 
Rainy Day, The. 
Snow Brigade, The. 

Readings and Recita- 
tions. 
Baby's Drawer. 
Be Polite. 

Catch the Sunshine. 
Christmas Bells. 
Composition on Animals. 
Little Speech, A. 
Lost Kitty, The. 
Moving. 



My Best Friend. 
My Dog. 

Ned's Best Friend. 
New Toy, The. 
Opening Address. 
Phil's Complaint. 
Samm ie — Sallie. 
Sixty Years Ago. 
Troublesome Visitor, 4 
What They Said. 
fiTho Made the Speeck. 

Shadows. 
Scenes. 

Tableaux. 
After the Explosioa. 
Before the Explosioa. 
Counterfeit Money. y 

Evening Prayer. 
Free Smoke, A. 
Going to the Train. 
Grandma's School Day* 
He Loves Me; He Lore* 

Me Not. 
I Wonder Who It Is From. 
Old Time Lovers. 
On the Train. 
Playing Doctor. 
Playing Grandma. 
Too Hot. 



HUMOROUS DIALOGUES AND 
DRAMAS. 

Replete in amusing characters and laughable situations. 
Paper binding, 30 cts. ; boards, 50 cts. 

Frog Hollow Lyceum, The. 
From Down East. 
Going to a New Home. 
Leap Year in the Village 

With One Gentleman. 
Mouse Trap, The. 
Professor Puzzled, The. 
Quarrel Between Sir Peter 

and Lady Teazle. 



Adventures in the Wrong 
House. 

Brought to Trial for 
" Blowin'. " 

Convention of Realistic 
leaders. 

Courtship Under Difficul- 
ties. 

Egyptian Debate. 



Rival Speakers, The. 
Shakespearian Burlesque. 
Stage-Struek. 
Train to Mauro, The. 
Trial of Fing Wing. 
Two Dutiful Daughters. 
Viola's Answer. 
Woman's Rights. 
Yankee's Stratagem, The. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CHURCH 

ENTERTAINMENTS. 

Dramatized Bible stories, dialogues, concert exercises, and a va- 
riety of features, all illustrating in an impressive way 
some biblical truth. 
Paper binding, 30 cts. ; boards, 50 cts. 



Boys of the Bible. 
Building the Ladder. 
Casting Bread Upon the 

Waters. 
Children's Wishes, The. 
Children's Voices. 
Christmas Exercises. 
Cities of the Bible. 
Count Me. 

Doom of King Alcohol. 
Easter Exercise. 
Easter Service, An. 
Easter Wreath, The. 
Elijah and the Rain. 
From Captivity to Power. 
Help for My Sisters. 



Honor thy 

Mother. 
If You Want to be Loved. 
Jesus Loves Me. 
Little Child shall Lead 

Them, A. 
Little Motto Bearers, The. 
Naaman, the Leper. 
New Sunday School Scholar, 

The. 
New Year's Exercise. 
Ocean of Life, The. 
Our Anniversary. 
Proverbs, or Rhymes and 

Reasons. 
Reward of Earnest Effort, 

The. 



Father and thy | Seed-Time. 

Short Missionary Servie*. 

A. 
Some Children of the Bible, 
Star Exercise. 
Sunday-School Acrostie. 
Temperance Alphabet. 
Ten Commandments, The. 
Thanksgiving. 
Tree of Spiritual Blessings, 

The. 
Where Shall We Find God f 
Which Path ? 

While Shepherds Watched. 
Wisdoms Treasures. 



CLASSIC DIALOGUES AND 
DRAMAS. 

Selected from the works of the best dramatists. 



Paper 


binding, 30 cts. ; boards, 


50 CtS. 


Aunt Betsey and Little 


Lochiel's Warning. 


Rivals, The. 


Davy. 


Mark Antony Scene. 


Romeo and Juliet, 


Bridal Wine-Cup, The. 


Mary Stuart. 


Saracen Brothers. 


Christmas Tide. 


Murder of Thomas a Beeket, 


Scene from Damon and 


Combat between Fitz James 


The. 


Pythias. 


and Roderick Dhu. 


Parthenia. 


Scene from Lady of Lyons. 


Cool Reason. 


Prince Henry and Falstaff. 


Songs of Seven. 


From the Tragedy of Ham- 


Quarrel of Brutus and 


Speeches of Zeuobia ftad 


let. 


Cassius, The. 


Her Council. 


Heary the Fifth's Wooing. 


Queen Mary. 


Trial Scene. 



TABLEAUX, CHARADES, AND 
PANTOMIMES. 

Much of tlie Material was Specially Written f+tt 

this Book, and Provision is Made for all 

Classes and Occasions* 



Paper binding, 30 cents; boards, 50 cents. 



Angel's Whisper, The. 
Anne Boleyn's Rejection of 

Henry VIIIs First Gift. 
Aren't You Ashamed of 

Yourself? 
Artist's Dream, The. 
Askimg a Blessing. 
At the Stake (Steak). 
Attendance. 
Backward. 
Beggar-Maid and King 

Cophetua, The. 
Birthdays. 
Bluebeard. 
Bo-Beep's Party. 
Carrying the Clothes to the 

Wash. 
Christmas Eve. 
Cinderella's Slipper. 
Columbus Before Ferdinand 

and Isabella. 
Comin' Through the Rye. 
Cotter's Saturday Night, 

The. 
Crowning the May Queen. 
" Dear Grandma." 
Death of Minnehaha. 
Devotion. 
Diana. 

Discontentment. 
Discovering a Leak. 
Doubtful Bank Note, The. 
Drunkard's Home, The. 
Dude, The. 
Eclipse of the Sun (Son), 

The. 
Farmer's Kitchen Before 

Thanksgiving. 
Fish Story, A. 
Flight of Time, The. 
Flower- (Flour) Girl, The. 
Flower Faces. 

Frolic at the Old Home- 
stead, A. 
George Washington's Little 

Hatchet. 
Qipsy Camp. 

Gipsy Fortune-Teller, The. 
Great Expectations. 
Hallowe'en. 
Ballowed Be Thy Name. 



Harvesters, The. 
Hard Shave. A. 
Heart's Resolve, The. 
Held by a Thread. 
Heroism of Elizabeth Zane, 

The. 
Ho ! For the Holidays. 
Home Picture (in two 

scenes), A, 
Incompatibility. 
In Disgrace. 
Innocence. 
In School Days. 
Joan of Arc at the Stake. 
Lifting the Veil. 
Little Gretchen. 
Little Gleaners, The. 
Listeners Hear no Good of 

Themselves. 
lx)st in the City Streets. 
Matter of Opinion, A. 
Maud Mailer. 
Mendicant. 
Misfit. 

Monk in His Cell, A. 
Mother of the Gracchi, 

The. 
Naomi and Her Daughters- 

in-Law. 
Newsboy, The. 
Nun at Her Devotions, A. 
Off to London. 
Old Man's Darling, An. 
Open Your Mouth. 
Open Your Mouth and Shut 

Your Eyes. 
Ophelia. 
Parson's Fee; or, the Bag 

of Beans, The. 
Penance. 
Playful. 

Playing Growri-Up. 
Pleasant Acquaintance, A. 
Professional Pride. 
Pungent. 
Puritans on the Way to 

Church. 
Reveries of a Bachelor. 
Rock of Ages. 
Rogers' Groups. 
Sam Weller'a Valentine. 



Sausage. 

Scenes from the Life oi &£ 

Office-Boy. 
Scripture Scenes. 
Scripture Tableaux. 
Searching for Happiness. 
Selections from Tennyson's 

''May Queen." 
Sent by Express. 
Shakespeare's Sevea Ages 

of Man. 
Signing the Pledge. 
Snow-Birds. 

Soldier's Departure, The. 
Soldier's Return, The. 
" Song of the Shirt." 
Sorting the Mail. 
Spirit of 76. 
Statuary Vivants. 
Stolen Bird's Nest, The. 
"Stuck." 
St. Valentine's Day in a 

Country Village. 
Sweeping Women of Mu- 
nich. 
Tableaux from Hiawatiu^ 

with Readings. 
Tempted, The. 
"That's You." 
There's no Rose Without a 

Thorn. 
Three Graces, The. 
Three Fishers, The. 
Too Bad to Mend. 
Traveling Magician. 
Two Blind Beggars. 
Undine. 

Union Forever, The. 
Village Choir, The. 
Village Post-Office, The. 
Washington. 
Watering the Horses. 
What are the Wild Waves 

Saying? 
Where are You Going ? 
Winter in the Lap of Spring 
Woman's Rights. 
Yarn of the Nancy BeK, 

The. 
Young Man's Slave, A, 
Young Monopolist, A> 



HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENTS. 

Adapted to all Holidays, including New Year's, Washington's Birthday, Easter, Dw* 
Jafcion. Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and especially Christmas Occasions. 

200 pages. Paper binding, 30 cts. ; boards, 50 cts. 



Christening Dolly. 
Christmas Rose, The. 
Christmas Pastime, A. 
Christmas Folk and the 

Children. 
Children's Day Service, A. 
Closing Address. 
Festival of the Year, The. 
Flower Service, A. 
For Another'3 Sake. 



For Christmas' Sake. 
Friend at Court, A. 
Holiday Acrostic, A. 
Holiday Convention, The. 
independence Day. 
In Santa Claus Land. 
Laurel Wreath, The. 
Long Ago. 

Months and the Holidays. 
Old and New Year, The. 



Opening Address. 

Our Holidays. 

Quest of the Three Kiagt. 

Resurrexit. 

Santa Claus Outwitted. 

Seeing Santa Claus. 

Story of Thanksgiving, Tha, 

St. Valentine's Revenge. 



SELECTIONS FOR PRACTICE CONTAINED IN 

PRACTICAL ELOCUTION 



American War, The. 
"Bay Billy." 
Boys, The. 

Cassius Against Caesar. 
Cataract of Lodore, The. 
Catiline's Defiance. 
Clown's Baby, The. 
Echo and Narcissus. 
Eulogy on O'Connell. 
Extract from a Eulogy on 

Gen. Grant. 
Extract from Snowbound. 
God's First Temples. 
Guide Me, O Thou Great 

Jehovah ! 
Glass Railroad, The. 
honored Dead, The. 
How They Brought the 

Good New* from Ghent 

to Ail. 



300 pages. $1.25. 

In the Cross of Christ I 

Glory. 
Jesus ! Lover of My Soul. 
John Bunyan. 
Kentucky Belle. 
Lady Clara Vere de Vere. 
Loss of the Arctic. The. 
Lochinvar's Ride. 
Lost Chord, A. 
Man's a Man for a' That, 

A. 
Massachusetts and South 

Carolina. 
Masters of the Situation. 
Marmion and Douglas. 
Matthew XXV. 
My Country. 'Tis of Thee. 
Nature of True Elwauenee, 

The. 
Nights* r 



Orpheus and Eurydice. 

Othello's Apology. 

Our Duties to Our Countfjr. 

Paul Before King Agrippa. 

Picti res of Memory. 

PsaLn XCI. 

Revolutionary Rising, The. 

Sandalphon. 

Sailing of King Olaf, The. 

Supposed Speech of J ohm 
Adams on the Declara- 
tion of Independence. 

Tact and Talent. 

Trust. 

Two Roads, The. 

Voice in the Twilight, 
The. 

Welsh Classic, A. 

Words on Language. 

Your Migsion. 



pe^ial §elei£tion§ 



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While each article is new and original, none have 
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The articles are largely in the nature of Dialogues, 
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biblical truths. In several instances familiar bible 
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power. 

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that give the spice and sparkle so desirable for such 
occasions It is just the book for those who want 
Something out of the old routine. 

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FROM THE AUTHORS' PREFACE: 

•' Much experience in the preparation of school entertainment* 
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Drills and Marches 

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DRILLS and Marches have become so pleasing 
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A marked feature of the book is the clearness 
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^HOIGE * I DIALOGUES 





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